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COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT. 



The Constitution 

OF THE 
/ 

Methodist Episcopal Chuech, 

AND THE 

Constitutions and Charters 

OF THE 

SEVERAL ORGANIZATIONS 

AUTHORIZED BY THE 

GENERAL CONFERENCE 



TO WHICH IS ADDED 



THE CONSTITUTION OF THE METHODIST 
EPISCOPAL CHURCH, SOUTH 



Cincinnati: Jennings and Pye 
New York: Eaton and Mains 






L 



FEB 21 

CopvrigM bntry 
CLASS CX. XXc. No* 

A- fc»Vt. Ve 

COP, 



Copyright, 1902, 

BY 

Jennings & Pye. 



This collection of the Constitutions and 
Charters of the Methodist Episcopal Church is 
published by order of the General Book Com- 
mittee. Originally intended as a book of refer- 
ence for this Committee, it has grown in the 
hands of its Editors so as to become, in the judg- 
ment of the publishers, a work of very great value 
to all who are interested in the several depart- 
ments of our Church work. It is worthy a place 
in the study of every pastor and officer of the 
Church and on the table of every progressive lay- 
man. AVe commend it as a hand-book which will 
aid in answering many questions hitherto difficult 

of solution. 

The Publishers. 



CONTENTS. 

PAGE 

Editorial Note 1 

Historical Introduction 3 

Constitution of the Methodist Episcopal Church: 

Of 1784 26 

Of 1787 27 

Of 1808 28 

As Amended in 1868-1872 30-35 

Of 1900 41 

Proclamation of Adoption 68 

Trustees of General Conference: 

Incorporation 70 

Trustees of the Methodist Episcopal Church: 

Incorporation (Amendment of previous charter) 79 
The Permanent Fund 84 

Book Concern: 

Action concerning Incorporation (New York) ... 97 

First Act of Incorporation 100 

Present Charter 102 

Western Book Concern: 

First Act of Incorporation (Cincinnati) Ill 

Present Charter 113 

The Chartered Fund (Philadelphia) 119 



vi Contents. 

PAGE 

The Missionary Society of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church : 

Early Charters 137 

Charter of 1873 ir,l 

Early Constitutions 156 

Constitution of 1900 172 

Woman's Foreign Missionary Society: 

Incorporation 181 

Constitution 1st 

Proposed Changes (1901) 198 

Form of Will and Devise 200 

Woman's Home Missionary Society: 

Incorporation 20:; 

Constitution 208 

Board of Education: 

Charter 218 

Constitution 22(3 

Sunday-school Union: 

Charter 232 

Constitution 237 

Tract Society: 

Charter 241 

Constitution 246 

Church Extension Society: 

' Revised Charter 250 

Early Constitution 255 

Present Constitution 260 



Contents. vii 

PAGE 

Freedmen's Aid and Southern Education Society: 
Organizing Convention of "Freedmen's Aid So- 
ciety" 270 

Original Constitution 282 

Act of Incorporation 287 

Amended Act of Incorporation, changing name 
to "Freedmen's Aid and Southern Education 

Society" 293 

New Constitution 294 

The Ep worth League: 

Organization 300 

Constitution 301 

Church Insurance: 

Organization ordered 300 

Charter, "National Mutual Church Insurance 

Company," Chicago 309 

Constitution of the Methodist Episcopal Church, 

South 312 



EDITORIAL NOTE. 



At the last session of the Book Committee it was 
ordered that "the Publishing Agents be requested 
to publish, in suitable form, a book containing the 
Constitutions and Charters of the organizations au- 
thorized by the General Conference." 

It was also ordered that R. T. Miller and W. F. 
Whitlock, D. D., "be appointed to edit this book." 

We understand it to have been intended only that 
we should collect and arrange these instruments, with 
related historic matter, in an orderly manner for 
publication, having due reference to accuracy. To 
secure this we have obtained from the secretary or 
other responsible officer of these several organiza- 
tions the instruments referred to. No other "edit" is 
attempted. By "Constitution," reference is had to 
the authority given by the General Conference to the 
organizations herein named; and by "Charter," the 
authority granted in the Act of Incorporation by any 
State under whose laws the business of any of the or- 
ganizations may be conducted. The one may there- 
fore be called the ecclesiastical, and the other the 
civil, authority, by which their powers are defined, 
their rights established, and their responsibilities de- 
clared. 

1 



- Editorial X<>te. 

It is hoped this compilation will prove to be use- 
ful and convenient to the administrative officers of 
the Church, and perhaps lead to a more complete 
codification of both the organic and statutory laws 
of the Church, than which need there is perhaps no 
greater in any department of Church work. 

We wish to acknowledge the valuable services of 
Bishop Walden, to whom we are indebted for the his- 
toric and documentary matter relating to the Charters 
and Constitutions of the Missionary Society. The 
courtesy and helpful assistance of Professor Williams, 
the Publishing Agents, and the managers of the print- 
ing department at Cincinnati are also gratefully ac- 
knowledged. 

It has been suggested that we give a brief state- 
ment of the circumstances leading up to the organiza- 
tion of the Church whose Constitution is herein con- 
tained, and of the action taken in connection with 
that event, and that also relating to the various forms 
of the department work of the Church. No more 
faithful account of the first can be offered than that 
given by Jesse Lee, William Watters, Freeborn Gar- 
rettson, and Adam Fonerden ; and, of the second, none 
more reliable than is found in the original documents. 
From these sources, therefore, so far as is possible, 
we have taken what hereinafter relates to these sub- 
jects. 

The Editors. 



HISTORICAL INTRODUCTION. 

(From Lee's History.) 

From the first General Conference in 1784, to 
the end of the year 1786. 

The Methodists had until this time one form 
both of worship and Discipline in every part of 
the world; but the independence of these United 
States of America, confirmed by the peace of 1783, 
occasioned an extraordinary change in this re- 
respect. During the war our societies were de- 
prived of the ordinances of baptism and the Lord's 
Supper; for the ministers of the Church of Eng- 
land had mostly left their parishes: some of them 
were silenced; others left off preaching, because 
they could not procure a maintenance by it; and 
man}^ more went into the British dominions. 
From the time of the peace no ecclesiastical 
authority of any kind was either exercised or 
claimed by any person or persons whatsoever. 
In this situation, we desired Mr. Wesley's ad- 
vice and assistance; and as he observes, "His 
scruples being at an end, he conceived himself 
3 



4 Historical Tni/roduction. 

at perfect liberty to exercise that right which he 
doubted not God had given him." 

At the British Conference held at Leeds, in 
July, 1784, Mr. Wesley declared his intention of 
sending Dr. Coke and some other preachers to 
America. Mr. Richard Whatcoat and Mr. Thomas 
Vasey offered themselves as missionaries for that 
purpose, and were accepted. But before they 
sailed, Mr. "Wesley wrote to Dr. Coke, then in 
London, desiring him to meet him in Bristol, to 
receive fuller powers; and to bring the Bev. Mr. 
Creighton with him. The doctor and Mr. Creigh- 
ton accordingly met him in Bristol, where Mr. 
Wesley, with the assistance of Dr. Coke and Mr. 
Creighton, ordained Richard Whatcoat and Mr. 
Thomas Vasey presbyters for America; and did 
afterwards ordain Dr. Coke a superintendent, giv- 
ing him letters of ordination under his hand and 
seal. Previous to this, Dr. Coke had been or- 
dained a presbyter by a bishop of the Church of 
England. 

Dr. Coke, with Messrs. Whatcoat and Vasey, 
sailed for America in the month of September, 
and landed at New York on the third day of 
November. 

By these preachers, Mr. Wesley wrote a letter 
to us in America, to be printed and circulated 
among us. The following is the letter: 



Historical Introduction. 5 

"Bristol, September 10, 1784. 
"To Dr. Coke, Mr. Asbury, and our Brethren in 

North America: 

"1. By a very uncommon train of providences, 
many of the provinces of North America are 
totally disjoined from the British Empire, and 
erected into independent States. The English 
Government has no authority over them, either 
civil or ecclesiastical, any more than over the 
States of Holland. A civil authority is exercised 
over them, partly by the Congress, partly by the 
State Assemblies. But no one either exercises 
or claims any ecclesiastical authority at all. In 
this peculiar situation, some thousands of the 
inhabitants of these States desire my advice, and, 
in compliance with their desire, I have drawn up 
a little sketch. 

"2. Lord King's account of the primitive 
Church convinced me, many years ago, that 
bishops and presbyters are the same order, and, 
consequently, have the same right to ordain. For 
many years I have been importuned, from time 
to time, to exercise this right by ordaining part 
of our traveling preachers; but I have still re- 
fused, not only for peace's sake, but because I 
was determined as little as possible to violate 
the established order of the national Church to 
which I belonged. 



6 Historical Int/roduction. 

"3. But the case is widely different between 

England and North America. Here there are 
bishops who have a legal jurisdiction; in America 
there are none, and but few parish ministers, 
so that for some hundred miles together there 
are none either to baptize or administer the 
Lord's Supper. Here, therefore, my scruples are 
at an end, and I conceive myself at full liberty, 
as I violate no order, and invade no man's right, 
by appointing and sending laborers into the har- 
vest. 

"4. I have accordingly appointed Dr. Coke 
and Mr. Francis Asbury to be joint superintend- 
ents over our brethren in Xorth America; as also 
Richard Whatcoat and Thomas Vasey, to act as 
elders among them, by baptizing and administer- 
ing the Lord's Supper. 

"5. If any one will point out a more rational 
and Scriptural way of feeding and guiding those 
poor sheep in the wilderness, I will gladly em- 
brace it. At present I can not see any better 
method than that I have taken. 

"6. It has indeed been proposed to desire the 
English bishops to ordain part of our preachers 
for America; but to this I object: 1. I desired 
the Bishop of London to ordain one only; but 
could not prevail. 2. If they consented, we know 
the slowness of their proceeding; but the matter 



Historical Introduction. 7 

admits of no delay. 3. If they would ordain 
them now, they would likewise expect to govern 
them; and how grievously would this entangle 
us! 4. As our American brethren are now totally 
disentangled, both from the State and from the 
English hierarchy, we dare not entangle them 
again, either with the one or the other. They 
are now at full liberty simply to follow the Scrip- 
tures and the primitive Church; and we judge 
it best that they should stand fast in that liberty 
wherewith God has so strangely made them free. 
"Johx Wesley." 

At the same time, Mr. Wesley prepared a 
Liturgy little differing from that of the Church 
of England, or, rather, revised the Common 
Prayer-book, leaving out certain parts, and alter- 
ing some of the ceremonies and some of the 
psalms, and making the morning and evening 
service much shorter than it was before. He 
advised all the traveling preachers to use it on 
the LordVday in all the congregations, reading 
the Litany only on Wednesdays and Fridays, and 
to pray extempore on all other days. He also 
advised the elders to administer the Supper of 
the Lord on every LordVday. 

As soon as Dr. Coke landed in America, he 
laid his plan to meet Mr. Asoury as soon as pos- 



8 Historical Introduction. 

sible, and traveling from New York to Phila- 
delphia, and then down into the Delaware State, 
he met with Mr. Asbury, at BarraWs Chapel, on 
the 14th day of the same month. They then 
consulted together about the plan which Mr. Wes- 
ley had adopted and recommended to us. After 
the business was maturely weighed, and sufficient 
time was taken to consult some more of the 
preachers who were present on that day, it was 
judged advisable to call together all the travel- 
ing preachers in a General Conference to be held 
in Baltimore at Christmas. 

Mr. Freeborn Garrettson undertook to travel 
to the South in order to give notice to all the 
traveling preachers of this intended meeting; but 
being fond of preaching by the way, and thinking 
he could do the business by writing, he did not 
give timely notice to the preachers who were 
in the extremities of the work; and, of course, 
several of them were not at that Conference. 

In the "Travels and Experiences of Freeborn 
Garrettson" he gives the following account of this 
journey and the Conference of 1784: 

I went as far as Dover, and intended to stay 
at R. B/s, Esq., a few days. The evening fol- 
lowing a friend came to my room and informed 
me that Doctor Coke had arrived, and was below. 



Historical Introduction. 9 

I went down and received him and Brother W. 
as welcome messengers, and accompanied them, 
the next day, to a quarterly-meeting held at Bar- 
ratt's Chapel. Dear Mr. Wesley had gratified the 
desires of thousands of his friends in America 
in sending a power of ordination and giving his 
consent to our becoming a separate Church. 
About fifteen preachers were present, and it was 
concluded that I should go through the Conti- 
nent, and call a Conference at Baltimore imme- 
diately. Within six weeks, after traveling up- 
wards of twelve hundred miles, I settled the 
business, besides preaching almost every day 
once, and sometimes twice, and made my return. 
The preachers being gathered, our Conference 
began on Christmas-day, and we acceded to the 
method proposed by Mr. W T esley, and men were 
set apart and consecrated for the different orders 
of the Church. 

Mr. Lee continues his account, as follows: 

December 27, 1784.— The Thirteenth Confer- 
ence began in Baltimore, which was considered 
to be a General Conference, in which Thomas 
Coke and Francis Asoury presided. 

At this Conference we formed ourselves into 
a regular Church, by the name of The Methodist 
Episcopal Church, making, at the same time, the 



10 Historical Introduction. 

episcopal office elective, and the elected superin- 
tendent amenable to the body of ministers and 
preachers. 

Mr. Asbury was appointed a superintendent by 
Mr. Wesley, yet he would not submit to be or- 
dained unless he could be voted in by the Con- 
ference. When it was put to vote, he was unani- 
mously chosen. He was then ordained deacon, 
then elder, and afterwards superintendent, before 
the end of the Conference. At the request of 
Mr. Asbury, when he was about to be ordained 
a superintendent, Mr. Otterbein, a German min- 
ister, who was a pious man, assisted in his ordina- 
tion by the laying on of his hands with the other 
ministers. 

At this Conference there were thirteen 
preachers elected to the elder's office, and most 
of them were ordained. Their names were: 
Freeborn Garrettson,* William Gill, LeRoy Cole, 
John Hagerty, Reuben Ellis, James O'Kelly, 
Richard Ivey, James 0. Cromwell,* John Tunnel, 
Xelson Reed, Jeremiah Lambert,f Beverly 
Allen4 Henry Willis.|| 

*Mr. Garrettson and Mr. Cromwell were ordained for 
Nova Scotia, and were sent there immediately afterwards. 

+ Mr. Lambert was ordained for Antigua, in the West 
Indies. 

J Mr. Allen was not ordained until the Conference held at 
Green Hills, in North Carolina, in the latter part of April, 1785. 

|| Mr. Willis was not at the Conference, but was ordained 
a few weeks afterwards by the Bishop and one Elder only. 



Historical Introduction. 11 

They also elected three deacons: John 
Dickins, Caleb Boyer, and Ignatius Pigman. Mr. 
Boyer was not present. 

Being now formed into a Church, a regular 
plan of proceeding was laid and a form of Dis- 
cipline drawn up. In the Minutes of this Con- 
ference there were eighty-one questions, with an- 
swers, a few of which I shall take notice of. If 
any one wishes to see the whole, he may read 
the Minutes of that General Conference. 

This being the beginning of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, it will be necessary to take 
particular notice of those regulations, or rules, 
which were formed at that time, especially such 
as had not been previously practiced by us. 

Q. 2.* "What can be done in order to the 
future union of the Methodists ?" 

A. "During the life of the Eeverend Mr. Wes- 
ley we acknowledge ourselves his sons in the gos- 
pel, ready, in matters belonging to Church gov- 
ernment, to obey his commands. And we do 
engage, after his death, to do everything that 
we judge consistent with the cause of religion 
in America and the political interest of these 
States, to preserve and promote our union with 
the Methodists in Europe." 

*In the early period of the Church the business of the Con- 
ferences was done by questions and answers, and, therefore, 
appears so in this compilation. 



12 Historical Irrf/rodv&twn. 

Q. 3. "As the ecclesiastical as well as civil 
affairs of these United States have passed 
through a very considerable change by the Eevo- 
lution, what plan of Church government shall 
we hereafter pursue?" 

A. "We will form ourselves into an Episcopal 
Church, under the direction of superintendents, 
elders, deacons, and helpers, according to the 
forms of ordination annexed to our Liturgy and 
the form of Discipline set forth in these 
Minutes." 

Q. 4. "What may we reasonably believe to be 
God's design in raising up the preachers called 
Methodists ? 

A. "To reform the continent and to spread 
Scriptural holiness over these lands." 

This simple formulation, though destitute of 
ponderous "Whereas," "Therefore," and "Resolved," 
may be set down as the first Constitution of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church, and is characterized by 
that dignity which always attends simplicity and 
completeness in statement. 

They formed "a Church;" it was "an Episcopal 
Church;" it was put "under the direction of ordained 
men; the forms of ordination were annexed to a 
Liturgy; it was "our Liturgy," and the Discipline 
was that "set forth in these Minutes." 

Mr. Lee's account of this action and of the formu- 
lation of this first organic act of the Church, when 
compared with the printed Minutes of 1785— an orig- 
inal copy of which we have— is fully verified. 



Historical Introduction. 13 

The following is taken from "A Short Account of 
the Christian Experience and Ministerial Labour of 
William Watters— Drawn up by Himself:" 

In the autumn following, Doctor Coke came 
over with two other preachers, and with Mr. 
Wesley's advice respecting the administering the 
ordinances, which we had laid before him, and 
on which he had delayed giving us his opinion 
until now. He had viewed the subject as a very 
weighty one, and was unwilling to say anything 
one way or the other till hp had deliberately 
and fully made up his mind. 

On the twenty-fifth of December, one thou- 
sand seven hundred and eighty-four, our Confer- 
ence met in Baltimore to consider the plan of 
Church government which the doctor brought 
over recommended by Mr. Wesley. It was 
adopted and unanimously agreed to with great 
satisfaction, and we became, instead of a religious 
Society, a separate Church, under the name of 
the Methodist Episcopal Church. 

This change gave great satisfaction through 
all our Societies in America, and the more so, as 
it met with the approbation of our European 
brethren, and particularly those who had some 
time past thought it their duty to administer the 
ordinances, but had desisted therefrom rather 
than rend the flock of Christ; as also to those 



14 Historical Introduction. 

who had long felt scruples of conscience in re- 
ceiving them from men that they could not be- 
lieve were sent by the Lord Jesus to minister in 
holy things, many of whose lives were immoral. 

The following, taken from the same source, will 
prove of further interest as setting forth the views 
of a colaborer of Williams, Strawbridge, King, and 
Owen on the events and discussions of that day. It 
is not generally known that the preachers had "elected" 
Mr. Ashunj to succeed Mr. Rankin as General Assistant 
prior to having "elected" him as General Superintendent. 
But here is Mr. Watters' story: 

"1 will here take the liberty of giving an ex- 
tract of a letter, a copy of which I have by me: 

"My Dear Brother,— That there should be 
those who, through prejudice, think the Meth- 
odists since they have had bishops amongst them 
are quite a different people, is not strange. But 
is it not strange that any who have known them 
from the beginning should admit such a thought 
till they have investigated the matter thor- 
oughly ? All must know that names do not alter 
the nature of things. We have from the begin- 
ning had one amongst us who has superintended 
the whole work. At first this person was solely 
appointed by Mr. Wesley, and called the general 
assistant, at a time when there was none but 
European preachers on the continent. But why 



Historical Introduction. 15 

was the name of general assistant ever changed? 
All that will open their eyes may know why. The 
Methodists in England and in America formerly 
did not call themselves a particular Church, but 
a religious Society in connection with different 
Churches, but mostly with the Episcopal Church. 
After the Eevolutionary War the Episcopal 
clergy became very scarce, and in far the great- 
est number of our Societies we had no way of 
receiving the ordinances of baptism and the 
Lord's Supper. It was this that led many of 
our preachers, as you well know, to take upon 
them the administration of the ordinances. Mr. 
Eankin, who was our first general assistant, after 
staying the time in this country he came for, re- 
turned home. This was at a time when we had 
no intercourse with England, and Mr. Asbury, 
the only old preacher that determined (in those 
perilous times) to give up his parents, country, 
and all his natural connections, was finally and 
unanimously chosen by the preachers (assembled 
in Conference) our general assistant. He con- 
tinued such until the year 1784, when the doctor 
came over, and not only the name of general 
assistant was changed to that of superintendent, 
but we formed ourselves into a separate Church. 
This change was proposed to us by Mr. Wesley 
after we had craved his advice on the subject, 



1(5 Historical Introduction* 

but could not take effect till adopted by us, which 
was done in a deliberate, formal manner at a 
Conference called for that purpose, in which 
there was not one dissenting voice. Every one 
of any discernment must see, from Mr. Wesley's 
circular letter on this occasion, as well as from 
every part of our mode of Church government, 
that we openly and avowedly declared ourselves 
Episcopalians, though the Doctor and Mr. Asbury 
were called superintendents. After a few years 
the name of superintendent was changed to 
bishop; but from first to last the business of 
general assistant, superintendent, or bishop has 
been the same. Only since we have become a 
distinct Church he has, with the assistance of 
two or three elders, ordained our ministers, whose 
business is to preside in our Conferences, and, 
in case of an equal division on a question, he 
has the casting vote; but in no instance whatever 
has he a negative, as you are told. He has also 
the stationing of all the traveling preachers, 
under certain limitations; which power is given 
him by the General Conference, so it can be 
lessened or taken from him at any time Confer- 
ence sees fit. But while he superintends the 
whole work, he can not interfere with the par- 
ticular charge of any of the preachers in their 
stations. To see that preachers fill their places 



Historical Introduction. 17 

with propriety, and to understand the state of 
every station or circuit, that he may the better 
make the appointments of the preachers, is, no 
doubt, no small part of his duty; but he has 
nothing to do with receiving, censuring, or ex- 
cluding members; this belongs wholly to the 
stationed preacher and members. His power, I 
confess, is great; but let it be well observed that 
it entirely respects the traveling preachers, and 
none else. It never can, from the nature of 
things, be put into the hands of any man but 
one in whom the whole have the highest con- 
fidence, and that no longer than he faithfully 
executes his trust. I know of no way the preach- 
ers can be as well stationed as by one that goes 
through the whole work, and is without his local 
prejudices in favor of or against any place, as 
he seldom stays longer in one place than an- 
other. The whole body of preachers in Con- 
ference can not station themselves, I am well 
assured; and a committee chosen by them for 
that purpose would find many insurmountable 
difficulties, as they could have but a very super- 
ficial knowledge of the particular gifts of many 
of the preachers or state of many of the cir- 
cuits. The sacrifice that a preacher makes in 
giving up his choice, and going wherever he is 
appointed, is not small; but no one is worthy 



1 8 Historical Introduction. 

of the aame of a traveling preacher that does 
not cheerfully go anywhere he can, for the gen- 
eral good. If he is so circumstanced that he can 
not go anywhere and everywhere that is thought 
best, he should Bay so when he first oifers him- 
self to Conference. If it so happens after he has 
been traveling, he ought to let it he known as 
soon as possible, and whenever he can not be 
accommodated with a circuit that he can fill, he 
ought to be contented to stop till he can. You 
will say, This is the hardship I complain of. 
Every station in life has its difficulties. But this 
can not be remedied in the present state of 
things. It is then our duty to do the best we 
can under unavoidable difficulties. Better many 
individuals suffer than the work at large should. 
I would rather be in the more general work; yet, 
if circumstances prevent, let me be content to 
act in some humble way. As for my own part, 
I am so fearful of seeing the traveling connec- 
tion clogged with the local preachers, that I never 
wish a seat in Conference, as a member, unless 
I can fill some proper station. They can do w T ell 
enough without my weak counsel, while I with- 
hold my labors, whether I do it willingly or 
through necessity. 

"But a greater charge than the love of power 



Historical Introduction. 19 

has been brought against Mr. Asbury (though I 
believe only by a few), even that of the love of 
money. I think a devil ought to blush (if it were 
possible) at such a charge. Where is all that he 
has been heaping up for near these forty years? 
I confess, if this was his object, he has stood 
so high in the estimation of many that he might 
have accumulated considerably by this time. But 
is it so ? Where is it ? I have been as long and 
as intimately acquainted with him as most men 
in America, and I must give this testimony: Of 
all men that I have known he is, in my estima- 
tion, the clearest of the love of money, and the 
most free to give away his all, in every sense of 
the word. I ask Mr. Asbury's pardon for taking 
this liberty in defending a character that speaks 
louder for itself than many such witnesses can 
for it; but the time and place I live in shall be 
my apology for so doing. 

"I am as ever yours, etc., 

"William Watteks." 
"To Mr. B., March, 1806." 



By the courtesy of Rev. J. F. Goucher we are en- 
abled to present the Fonerden letters, which were ad- 
dressed to Mr. Stephen Donaldson, Leesburg, Va., 
and never before fully printed. These, we think, will 



20 Historical Introduction. 

prove of further interest, as showing the understand- 
ing of the contemporaries of those who organized the 
Church, and in connection with the letter of Mr. Wat- 
tera are of special historical importance, being free 
from the interpretations subsequently put upon the 
transactions of the early period to which they refer. 
Here is Dr. Goucher's letter of information: 

Baltimore, April 21, 1902. 

My Dear Mr. Miller,— Your favor was received 
some time since, and I have had copies of the Foner- 
den letters made, which I inclose. This should have 
been attended to sooner: hut necessary absence from 
my office of late 1ms interfered with my correspond- 
ence and my work in general. 

Adam Fonerden, who wrote the letters, is spoken 
of by J. Lednum in his "Rise of Methodism in Amer- 
ica," page 171, as follows: 

"177G— Frederick Circuit, Virginia. 

"Messrs. McClure and Fonerden were stationed 
with Mr. Watters. Adam Fonerden appears to have 
been a local preacher from Baltimore or Frederick 
County, taken up as a temporary supply,— after this 
we do not meet with his name." 

In addition to the above, it appears from the 
record of the Exeter street Church, which was the 
third Methodist church built in Baltimore, that the 
ground on which that church stands was deeded by 
Samuel Swan on February 28, 1795, to nine persons, 
of whom Adam Fonerden was one. lie was a class- 



Historical Introduction. 21 

leader and local preacher in Baltimore. But here are 
his letters: 

Baltimore Nov? 28^ 1784. 
much Esteemed friend. 

I receiv d your favour, & 
according to your request went to purchase the 
Crucibles — in my way I call'd upon James, Ex- 
pecting he could inform me where they might be 
had. He immediately resolv'd to go with M. r . 
Murrey to Leesburg to make up matters with 
you, & said I need give myself no further trouble 
after the Crucibles that He would carry them 
himself — while I am writing this Mr. Murrey is 
waiting for him to set off — & He has just now sent 
word he will be up directly — I hope he won't de- 
ceive, otherwise shall be exceeding sorry of y r 2not 
getting them. We have three English preachers 
arriv? their names — D r . Coke, M. r . Whatcoat, & 
M^ Vasey. These three are ordain'd a presbytry 
by M? Wesley & his Clergy, who together with a 
new form of Church Goverment, Suggested by 
M* Wesley, are to Organize us as a Church, to 
have a Liturgy & administration of ordinances. 
But as this is not to be forced upon us, but left 
to our Choice — if we approve of it, they Stay and 
exercise their new functions — otherwise matters 
are left as they are at present, & after a little 



22 Historvrdl Introduction. 

Stay they depart again for England. Mr Asbury 
& Dl Coke are Constituted Joint Superinten- 
dants, & as .M r Asbury would not in a matter of 
Buch [mportance, do anything by himself. He 
baa Call'd a Conference to deliberate thereon, 
which is to meet here on Christmas day. I hope 
if you can make it convenient you will be here at 
that time, mean while I hope you Still believe 
me to be, with my kind love to your Spouse 
y r Sincere & affectionate friend & B r 

Ad" 1 Fonerden. 

Baltimore Decem r 30^ 1784. 
much Esteemed friend 

I receiv d your favour by 
l) 1 ; Murrey, & in answer to your request Shall 
inform you as follows. We have at this Confer- 
ence agreeable to Ml" Wesley's advice and direc- 
tion, handed to us by that Worthy Man Dl 
Coke 1'orm'd ourselves unanimously into an 
Independent Church under the Title of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church. To be govern 'd 
by Superintendent, Elders & Deacons, with a 
Liturgy Little differing from the Church of 
England. The Itinerant plan still to be con- 
tinued, & by the Church Government Adopted, 
somewhat Strengthened. Which will be printed 
Shortly. Ml Asbury was ordained Superinten- 



Historical Introduction. 23 

dant Last Sunday by the D r . & the two Elders 
who came over with Him, which power of ord- 
ination being convey'd to them by three pres- 
byters of the Church of England, M. T . Wesley 
being one, we think as Valid as any ordination 
whatever. It being now well known that in 
primitive times the Office of presbyter or Elder 
which are Synonimous Terms, & Byshop were 
one and the Same, with only this Small difference 
that the Chief or prime presbyter was sometimes 
called a Byshop. With us, The Superindant 
answers to Byshop, who is to have the Oversight 
of all & we think it a better name, because 
modern Byshops by being Lords are generally 
devourers of the flock, & a Curse to the people. 
& the Very Name conveys a disagreeable Savour. 
Our Elders answer to presbyter which are the 
same in office. And Deacons are to assist the 
Elders in admins the Lords Supper & may bap- 
tise in the Elders Absence. About 15 Elders 
will be Ordain'd before Conference breaks up, & 
Several Deacons, The greatest Caution will be 
used in future in admitting of preachers into 
Connection, & any Elder who loquates himself, 
is no Longer to Exercise the peculiar functions 
of his Office, without Consent of Conference, 
under the penalty of Expulsion. 

Something is now before Confer? respecting 
Slavery. This Extraordinary Man Dl" Coke, Has 



24 Historical Introduction. 

Set his heart much upon Extirpating it from 
among us, All the Lenity will be exercised as far 
as may be consistend with Virginia you arc to 
have two years to agree to the plan proposed for 
freeing them, & in that time you must record 
their Manumission, which is to take place at 
certain periods according to their age which is 
made as easy for the holder as possible. Inclosed 
I have sent you M* Wesley's Circular Letter and 
for want of time must subscribe myself j r . 
Sincere & Affect e 
friend & B^ 

Ad m Fonerden. 



The direction of the affairs of the Church thus 
constituted was exercised by the preachers iu the 
several Conferences until 1792, when, according to 
Jesse Lee, "the first regular General Conference" oc- 
curred, and was composed of all the traveling preach 
era. In 1812, the first Delegated General Conference 
occurred, which, as was provided, iu 1808, "shall have 
full power to make rules and regulations for our 
(hurch, under the following limitations and restric- 
tions."— recit inu- the "Six Restrictive Rules." This 
('•institution, with such changes as weir made in con- 
formity with the clause providing for changes, to- 
gether with all others, is given in the following pages 
preceding the Constitution of 1900. 

The General Conference of 1900 recommended for 
adoption as the Constitution of the Methodist Bpl - 
copal Church that herein printed. The bishops hav- 



Historical Introduction. 25 

ing examined the vote of the Annual Conferences, 
and finding that three-fourths of all the members 
present and voting had cast their votes in favor 
thereof, have proclaimed it to be "now the funda- 
mental law of the Church." 

Thus has been settled, until further changes are 
constitutionally made, what is and what is not Con- 
stitution;— to which, "let all the people say 'Amen!'" 

The Editors, 

Cincinnati. Ohio, November, 1902. 



THE CONSTITUTIONS OF THE METH- 
ODIST EPISCOPAL CHUfiCH. 



THE CONSTITUTION OF 1784. 
(From Minutes oi 

Future union of "Q. 2. Whal can be done in order to the future 
Methodists, union of the Methodists?" 

"A. During the Life of the Reverend Mr. Wesley 
we acknowledge ourselves his sons in the gospel, 
ready, In matters belonging to Church government, to 
obey his commands. And we do engage, alter his 
(hath, to do everything that we judge consistent with 
the cause of religion in America and the political in- 
terest of these States, to preserve and promote our 
union with the Methodists in Europe." 

"Q. 3. As the ecclesiastical as well as civil affairs 
of these United States have passed through a very 
considerable change by the Revolution, what plan of 
Church government shall we hereafter pursue?" 
Church Episcopal "A. We Mill form ourselves Into an Episcopal 
in form, church, under the direction of superintendents, elders. 
deacons, and helpers, according to the forms of ordi- 
nation annexed to our Liturgy and the form of Disci- 
pline set forth in these Minutes." 
Design of the "Q. 1. Whal may wo reasonably believe to be 
ministry. <; () <l*s design in raising up the preachers called !/'//>- 
<Hst8?" 

"A. To reform the Continent and to spread Scrip 
tural holiness over these lands." 
26 



The Constitution of 1787. 27 

THE CONSTITUTION OF 1787. 
(From Minutes of 1787.) 

This simple formulation, taken from the Minutes 
of the Organizing Conference of 1784, thought desti- 
tute of pouderous '"Whereas," "Therefore," and "Re- 
solved," may be set down as the first Constitution of 
the Methodist Episcopal Church, and is characterized 
by that dignity which always attends simplicity and 
completeness in statement. 

In the first Discipline printed (1787), this action 
is reaffirmed in a little more elaborate manner, de- 
claring that the ecclesiastical relations of the newly- 
organized Church to Europe were the same as the 
civil relations of the United States— "Independent." 
It is as follows: 

"SECTION III. 
(Action of 1787.) 

"On the Mature and Constitution of our Church. 

"We are thoroughly convinced that the Church of 
England, to which we have been united, is deficient 
in several of the most important Parts of Christian 
Discipline; and that (a few Ministers and Members 
excepted) it has lost the Life and Power of Religion. 
We are not ignorant of the Spirit and Designs it has 
ever discovered in Europe, of rising to Pre-eminence 
and worldly Dignities by Virtue of a national Estab- 
lishment, and by the most servile Devotion to the 
Will of temporal Governors; and we fear the same 
Spirit will lead the same Church in these United 
States (though altered in its Name) to similar Designs 
and Attempts, if the Number and Strength of its 
Members will ever afford a Probability of Success; 
and particularly, to obtain a national Establishment, 



28 Methodist Constitution and Charters. 

which we cordially abhor as the great Bane of Truth 
and Holiness, the greatest Impediment in the World 
to the Progre88 Of Vital Christianity. 

"For these Reasons, we have thought it our Duty 
to form ourselves Into an Independent Church. And 
as the iiK.st excellenl Mode of Chjurch Government, 
according to our Matures! Judgment, is that of a 
Moderate Episcopacy; and as we are persuaded that 
the uninterrupted Succession of Bishops from the Ai»>s- 
tles can be proved neither from Scripture nor An- 
tiquity, we therefore have constituted ourselves into 
an Episcopal Church, under the Direction of Bishops, 
Elders, Deacons, and Preachers, according to the Forms 
of Ordination annexed to our Prayer Book, and the 
Regulations laid down in this Form of Discipline. 



THE CONSTITUTION OF 1808. 

(See Discipline of 1808.) 
"Of the General Conference. 

"Ques. 2. Who shall compose the General Confer- 
ence, and what are the regulations and powers be- 
longing to it? 

"Ans. 1. The General Conference shall be com- 
posed of one member for every five members of each 
Annual Conference, to be appointed either by senior- 
ity or choice, at the discretion of such Annual Confer- 
ence: yet so that such represenatives shall have 
traveled at least four full calendar years from the 
lime that they were received on trial by an Annual 
Conference, and are in full connection at the time of 

holding the ( 'onference, 



The Constitution of 1808. 29 

"2. The General Conference shall meet on the first When to elect, 
day of May, in the year of our Lord 1812, in the city 
of New York, and thenceforward on the first day of 
May once in four years perpetually, in such place or Where, 
places as shall be fixed on by the General Conference 
from time to time: but the General Superintendents, 
with or by the advice of all the Annual Conferences, 
or if there be no General Superintendent, all the An- 
nual Conferences respectively shall have power to 
call a General Conference, if they judge it necessary, Called, 
at any time. 

"3. At all times when the General Conference is Quorum, 
met, it shall take two-thirds of the representatives 
of all the Annual Conferences to make a quorum for 
transacting business. 

"4. One of the General Superintendents shall pre- President, 
side in the General Conference; but in case no Gen- 
eral Superintendent be present, the General Confer- 
ence shall choose a president pro tempore. 

"5. The General Conference shall have full powers Powers of General 
to make rules and regulations for our Church, under Conference, 
the following limitations and restrictions, viz.: 

"1. The General Conference shall not revoke, Restrictions, 
alter, or change our Articles of Religion, nor estab- 
lish any new standards or rules of doctrine contrary 
to our present existing and established standards of 
doctrine. 

"2. They shall not allow of more than one repre- 
sentative for every five members of the Annual Con- 
ference, nor allow of a less number than one for every 
seven. 

"3. They shall not change or alter any part or rule 
of our government, so as to do away Episcopacy 
or destroy the plan of our intinerant General Superin- 
tendency. 



30 Methodist Constitution and Charters. 

'4. They shall not revoke or change the general 
rules of the United Societies. 

".". They shall not do away the privileges of our 
ministers <»r preachers of trial by a committee, and 
of :in appeal: neither shall they do away the privillges 
of our members of trial before the society or by a 
committer, ami of an appeal. 

••<;. They shall nut appropriate the produce of the 
Book Concern, or of the Charter Fund, to any pur- 
pose other than for the benefit of the traveling, super- 
numerary, superannuated, and wornout preachers. 
their wives, widows, and children: provided, never- 
theless, that upon the joint recommendation of all 
the Annual Conferences, then a majority of two-thirds 
of the General Conference succeeding shall suffice to 
alter any of the above restrictions." 



ACTION OF GENERAL CONFERENCE OF 18C>8. 
(See Journal, page 275. ) 

"The report of the Committee on Lay Representa- 
tion, as amended and adopted, was as follows: 

"Whereas, The General Conference of I860 ex- 
pressed its willingness to admit lay delegates to the 
General Conference whenever the people should do-' 
sire it; and 

"Whereas, The General Conference of 1864 con- 
CUrred in that action; therefore. 
Plan. "Resolved, 1. That we also concur in the same, 

and recommend the following plan to the godly con- 
sideration of our ministers and people: 

"Change the Discipline, page i5, Fan II. chap, i, 
see. 1. so thai it shall read as follows: 



General Conference of 1868. 31 

"Question. 'Who shall compose the General Con- 
ference, and what are the regulations and powers 
belonging to it?' 

"Answer 1. The General Conference shall be com- Lay delegates, 
posed of ministerial and lay delegates. The minis- 
terial delegates shall consist of one member for every 
thirty (30) members of each Annual Conference, to 
be appointed either by seniority or choice, at the dis- 
cretion of such Annual Conference, yet so that such 
representatives shall have traveled at least four full 
calendar years from the time that they were received 
on trial by an Annual Conference, and are in full con- 
nection at the time of holding the Conference.' 

"The lay delegates shall consist of two laymen Ratio. 
for each Annual Conference, except such Conferences 
as have but one ministerial delegate, which Confer- 
ences shall be entitled to one lay delegate each. 

"The lay delegates shall be chosen by an Electoral How chosen. 
Conference of laymen, which shall assemble for the 
purpose on the third day of the session of the Annual 
Conference, at the place of its meeting, at its session 
immediately preceding the General Conference. 

"The Electoral Conference shall be composed of Electoral Confer- 
one layman from each circuit or station within the ence - 
bounds of the Annual Conference, and on assembling 
the Electoral Conference shall organize by electing a 
Chairman and Secretary of their own number; such 
layman to be chosen by the last Quarterly Conference 
preceding the time of its assembling; provided that 
no layman shall be chosen a delegate either to the 
Electoral Conference or to the General Conference 
who shall be under twenty-five years of age, or who 
shall not have been a member of the Church in full 
connection for the five consecutive years preceding 
the elections. 



32 Methodist Constitution and Charters. 

"Alter Answer 3 as follows, page 46: 
Quorum. "Answer :;. At all times when the General Confer- 
ence is met it shall take two-thirds of the whole Dum- 
ber of ministerial and lay delegates to form a quorum 
for transacting business. 
One body. '*The ministerial and lay delegates shall sit and 
deliberate together as one body, hut they shall vote 
separately whenever such separate vote shall be de- 
manded by one-third of either order, and In such 
cases the concurrent vote of both orders shall be nec- 
essary to complete an action. 

"Resolved 2. That during the month of June, I s '"-'.*. 
on any day except the Sabbath, the time to be deter- 
mined by the pastor and the two laymen appointed 
by the Quarterly Conference, as hereinafter provided. 
Vote of the there shall be held a general election in the several 
membership, places of worship of the .Methodist Episcopal Church, 
at which all m 'tubers in full connection, and not less 
than twenty-one years of age, shall be invited to vote 
by ballot: 'For Lay Delegation,' or 'Against Lay Dele- 
gation.' This election shall be held under the direc- 
tion of the preacher in charge and two laymeu ap- 
pointed for the purpose by the Quarterly Conference. 
who shall see that due notice is given thereof for at 
least twenty days before the election, and who shall 
superintend all the details of the election. They shall 
report the result within ten days after the election 
to the presiding elder of the district, who shall report 
the same to the bishop presiding at the ensuing An- 
nual Conference, to be entered upon the Conference 
Journal. 

"It shall be the duty of the bishops presiding at 

the several Annual Conferences, at their first sessions 

Amendments after the above elections, to lay before those bodies 

submitted, the following proposed amendments to the second be- 



General Conference of 1872. 33 

strictive Rule, namely: At the end of line three, after 
the word 'one,' insert the word 'ministerial' (page 47 
of the Discipline); and after the word 'forty-five,' line 
seven, same page, add the words, 'nor more than two 
lay delegates for any Annual Conference:' and to re- 
port the result to the next General Conference, so 
that, as amended, it shall read: 'They shall not allow 
of more than one ministerial representative for every 
fourteen (14) members of the Annual Conference, nor 
allow of a less number than one for every forty-five 
(45), nor more than two lay delegates for any Annual 
Conference.' 

"Resolved, 3. That should a majority of votes cast Vote required, 
by the people be in favor of lay delegation, and should 
three-fourths (%) of all the members of the Annual 
Conferences present and voting thereon vote in favor 
of the above proposed change in the Constitution of 
the Church, then the General Conference meeting in 
1872, by the requisite two-thirds (%) vote can com- 
plete the change, and lay delegates previously elected 
may then be admitted." 



ACTION OF GENERAL CONFERENCE OF 1872. 

"The first item of the resolution was therefore 
adopted by a vote of 252 to 36, in words following, 
viz.: 

" 'Resolved, That said Plan is hereby ratified and Plan adopted, 
adopted.' 

"By this action, answer 1 to the question, 'Who 
shall compose the General Conference, and what are 
the regulations and powers belonging to it?' in Part 



34 Methodist Constitution and Charters. 



(omposite body. 



II. chap. i. Bee. 1. of the Discipline was so changed 
:is to read: 

Lfttftoer 1. The General Conference shall be com- 
posed of ministerial and lay delegates. The minis- 
terial delegates shall consist of one member for every 
thirty members of each Animal Conference, to be ap- 
pointed by seniority or choice, ;it the discretion of 
sncli Annual Conference, yet so that such representa- 
tives shall have traveled at least four full calendar 
years from the time that they were received on trial 
by an Annual Conference, and are in full connection 
at the time of holding the Conference. 

44 'Tlie lay delegates shall consist of two laymen 
for each Annual Conference, except such Conferences 
as have hut one ministerial delegate, which Confer- 
ences shall be entitled to one lay delegate each. 

44 'The lay delegates shall be chosen by an Elec- 
toral Conference of laymen, which shall assemble for 
the purpose on the third day of the session of the 
Annual Conference, at the place of its meetiug, at its 
session immediately preceding the General Confer- 
ence. 

44 'The Electoral Conference shall be composed of 
ference. one layman from each circuit or station within the 
bounds of the Annual Conference, and, on assembling, 
the Electoral Conference shall organize by electing a 
Chairman and secretary of their own number: such 
layman to be chosen by the last Quarterly Conference 
preceding the time of its assembling: Provided, that no 
layman shall he chosen a delegate either to the Elec- 
toral Conference or to the General Conference who 
Eligibility, shall lie under twenty-five years of age, or who shall 
not have been a member of the Church in full con- 
nection for i he live consecutive years preceding the 
elections.' 



Lay delegates, 
How many. 



How elected. 



Electoral Con- 



The Constitution of 1872. 35 

"Also answer 3 to the same question was altered 
by this action so as to read: 

" 'Ansicer 3. At all times when the General Con- Quorum, 
ference is met it shall take two-thirds of the whole 
number of ministerial and lay delegates to form a 
quorum for the transaction of business. 

" 'The ministerial and lay delegates shall sit and One body, 
deliberate together as one body, but they shall vote 
separately whenever such separate vote shall be de- 
manded by one-third of either order, and in such 
cases the concurrent vote of both orders shall be nec- 
essary to complete an action.' 

"Samuel A. W. Jewett submitted, as a substitute Lay delegates ad- 
for the remaining portion of the resolution, a motion mitted. 
that the roll of laymen whose certificates of election 
are in the hands of the Secretary be now called, and 
that those persons who may be duly accredited be 
admitted to seats in this General Conference." 

This motion prevailed, by a vote of 288 for to 1 
against. The Whereas of the paper offered Jby Jesse 
T. Peck was laid on the table, after which the cer- 
tificates of the lay delegates were presented, and the 
delegates elect were admitted to the Conference. 



THE CONSTITUTION OF 1S72 AS ADOPTED. 

"I. The General Conference shall be composed of Composition and 
ministerial and lay delegates. The ministerial dele- basis of repre- 
gates shall consist of one member for every forty- sentation. 
five members of each Annual Conference, to be ap- 
pointed either by seniority or choice at the discretion 
of such Annual Conference, yet so that such repre- 



36 Methodist Constitution and Cha 

sentatlves shall have traveled al least four full calen- 
dar years from the time that they were received on 
trial by an Annual Conference, and an- in full con- 
nection at the time of holding t li* ■ Conference.* 

•The lay delegates shall consisl of two laymen 
for each Annual Conference, except such Conferences 
as have hut one ministerial delegate, which Confer- 
ences shall he entitled t<> (.no lay delegate each. 
Io> delegates. "The lay delegates shall be chosen by an Electoral 
How chosen. Conference of laymen, which shall assemble for the 
purpose on the third day of the session of the Annual 
Conference, :it the place of its meeting, at its b 
immediatefy preceding the General Confer 
Composition of "The Electoral Conference shall be composed of 
Electoral Con- one layman from each circuit or station within the 
ference. bounds of the Annual Conference; and, on assembling, 
'he Electoral Conference shall organize by electing a 
chairman and secretary of their own number, such 
layman to be chosen by the last Quarterly Confer- 
ence preceding the time of the assembling of such 
Electoral Conference; provided, that no layman shall 
be chosen a delegate either to the Electoral Confer- 
ence or to the General Conference who shall be under 
Eligibility, twenty-live years of age, or who shall not have been 
a member of the Church in full connection for the rive 
consecutive years preceding the elections, f 

a transferred preacher shall not be counted twice in the 
same year as the basis «.f the election of Delegates to theGen- 
eral Conference, nor vote for Del< gates to the Genera] Con- 
ference in any Annual Conference where he is nol counted as 
i representation, nor vol- twice the Bame 
"D any constitutional question. 

Of the several Annua] and Electoral Gon- 
*• fences Bhall Bend to the Secretary of the last General Oon- 
' " certified copy of the election of Delegates and Be- 
to the next General Conference, In the order of their 



The Constitution of 1872. 87 

"II. The General Conference shall meet on the first General Confer- 
day of May, in the year of our Lord 1812, in the city ence sessions. 
of New York, and thenceforward on the first day of 
May once in four years perpetually, in such place or 
places as shall he fixed on hy the General Conference 
from time to time; hut the General Superintendents, 
or a majority of them, by or with the advice of two- 
thirds of all the Annual Conferences, or, if there be 
no General Superintendent, two-thirds of all the An- Extra sessions, 
nual Conferences shall have power to call an extra 
session of the General Conference at any time, to be 
constituted in the usual way. 

"III. At all times when the General Conference Quorum. 
is met it shall take two-thirds of the whole number 
of ministerial and lay delegates to form a quorum for 
transacting business. 

"IV. The ministerial and lay delegates shall sit 
and deliberate together as one body, but they shall 
vote separately whenever such separate vote shall be How vote, 
demanded by one-third of either order; and in such 
cases the concurrent vote of both orders shall be nec- 
essary to complete an action. 

"V. One of the General Superintendents shall pre- President, 
side in the General Conference; but in case no General 
Superintendent be present, the General Conference 
shall choose a president pro tern. 

"The General Conference shall have full powers Powers limited, 
to make rules and regulations for our Church, under 
the following limitations and restrictions, namely: 

"I. The General Conference shall not revoke, alter, 
or change our Articles of Religion, nor establish any 



election, as soon after the election as practicable, so that a 
roll of Members and Reserves may be prepared for the open- 
ing of the next General Conference. 



38 Methodist Constitution and Charters. 

11. 'w standards or rules of doctrine contrary to our 
presenl existing and established standards of doctrine. 

•II. They shall nol allow of more than one min- 
isterial representative for every fourteen members of 
the Animal Conference, nor allow of a less number 
than one for every forty-five, nor more than two lay 
delegates for any Annual Conference; provided, never- 
theless, that when there shall be in any Annual Con- 
ference a fraction of two-thirds the number which 
shall be fixed for the ratio of representation, such 
Annual Conference shall be entitled to an additional 
delegate for such fraction; and provided, also, that no 
Conference shall be denied the privilege of one dele- 
gate. 

"III. They shall not change or alter any part or 
rule of our government, so as to do away Episcopacy, 
or destroy the plan of our itinerant General Super- 
intendence; but may appoint a Missionary Bishop or 
Superintendent for any of our foreign missions, limit- 
ing his jurisdiction to the same respectively. 

"IV. They shall not revoke or change the General 
Rules of the United Societies. 

"V. They shall not do away the privileges of our 
ministers or preachers, of trial by a Committee, and 
of an appeal; neither shall they do away the privileges 
of our members, of trial before the Society, or by a 
Committee, and of an appeal. 

"VI. They shall not appropriate the produce of 
the Book Concern, nor of the Charter Fund, to any 
purpose other than for the benefit of the traveling, 
supernumerary, superannuated, and wornout preach- 
ers, their wives, widows, and children. 

"Provided, nevertheless, that upon the concurrent 
recommendation of three-fourths of all the members 
of the several Annual Conferences who shall be pres- 



The Constitution of 1872. 39 

ent and vote on such recommendation, then a major- 
ity of two-thirds of the General Conference succeed- 
ing shall suffice to alter any of the above restrictions, Alterations, 
excepting the first article; and also, whenever such 
alteration or alterations shall have been first recom- 
mended by two-thirds of the General Conference, so 
soon as three-fourths of the members of all the An- 
nual Conferences shall have concurred as aforesaid, 
such alteration or alterations shall take effect." 



4<> Methodist Constitution and Charters. 



PROPOSED REVISION OF ORGANIC LAW 

OF 1872. 

(See Bishops' Address <»r L900.) 

n Jntlinn '* In ,llis r< ,ni " '<•' i( "> the bishops commend to the 
rerommended I in favoraWe attention of the General Conference the re- 
1900. !,,,n oi tne ( '<»i"iiiissi,m <.n Hi.. Organic Law of the 
Church, it is not probable thai any member of this 
body or any one of tin- bishops Mill hold that every 
provision of the new Constitution is the best prac- 
ticable. Sour wisdom may possibly amend the report 
in this or that particular. But we are united in the 
• •pinion that it is a lucid arrangement of our funda- 
mental law; that it makes explicit statement of Items 
of that law heretofore somewhat inferential and, 
therefore, of somewhat doubtful interpretation; that 
it makes due provision for new conditions of Church 
life which have already arrived; and that, while it 
admits greater ease of constitutional change than has 
heretofore existed, it makes plain for ourselves and 
our successors the distinction which must be recog- 
nized in all well-ordered organizations between or- 
ganic law and statutory enactments. .Meantime we 
suggest the expediency of adopting, as a Rule of 
Order for this session, one of its provisions, namely. 
that changes in the Discipline be made only by the 
concurrent vote of a majority of both orders." 



THE CONSTITUTION OF 1900* 



ORGANIC LAW AS ADOPTED BY THE GENERAL 
CONFERENCE. 

Peeamble. 

In order the better to preserve our historic Preamble, 
heritage, and the more effectually to co-operate 
with other branches of the one Church of Jesus 
Christ in advancing the kingdom of God among 
men, we, the ministers and laymen of the Meth- 
odist Episcopal Church, in accordance with the 
methods of Constitutional legislation in force 
among us, hereby ordain, establish, and set forth, 
as the fundamental law or Constitution of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church, the Articles of Re- 
ligion, the General Rules, and the Articles of 



*In the Constitution as printed in the Discipline only the 
titles, " The Articles of Religion," and "The General Rules," 
are given as divisions I and II. 

We have inserted the Articles and General Rules in full, 
as they appoar in the Discipline of 1900. The Editobs. 

4 41 



42 Methodist Constitution and Charters. 

Organization and Government, here following, 
to wit : 

DIVISION I. 

Articles of Religion. 

I. Of Faith in the Holy Trinity. 

There is but one living and true God, ever- 
lasting, without body or parts; of infinite power, 
wisdom, and goodness; the Maker and Preserver 
of all things, both visible and invisible. And in 
unity of this Godhead there are three Persons 
of one substance, power, and eternity — the 
Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. 

77. Of the Word, or Son of God, who was made 
very man. 

The Son, who is the Word of the Father, the 
very and eternal God, of one substance with the 
Father, took man's nature in the womb of the 
blessed Virgin; so that two whole and perfect 
natures — that is to say, the Godhead and man- 
hood — were joined together in one Person, never 
to be divided, whereof is one Christ, very God 
and very man, who truly suffered, was crucified, 
dead, and buried, to reconcile his Father to us, 
and to be a sacrifice, not only for original guilt, 
but also for actual Bins of men. 



The Constitution of 1900. 43 

III. Of the Resurrection of Christ. 
Christ did truly rise again from the dead, and 
took again his body, with all things appertaining 
to the perfection of man's nature, wherewith he 
ascended into heaven, and there sitteth until he 
return to judge all men at the last day. 

IV. Of the Holy Ghost. 
The Holy Ghost, proceeding from the Father 
and the Son, is of one substance, majesty, and 
glory, with the Father and the Son, very and 
eternal God. 

V. Of the Sufficiency of the Holy Scriptures for 



The Holy Scriptures contain all things neces- 
sary to salvation; so that whatsoever is not read 
therein, nor may be proved thereby, is not to 
be required of any man, that it should be be- 
lieved as an article of faith, or be thought req- 
uisite or necessary to salvation. In the name of 
the Holy Scriptures, we do understand those 
canonical books of the Old and New Testaments, 
of whose authority was never any doubt in the 
Church. 

The Names of the Canonical Books 

Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuter- 
onomy, Joshua, Judges, Ruth, the First Book of 



44 "Methodist Constitution cmd ChaHers. 

Samuel, the Second Book of Samuel, the First 
Book of Kings, the Second Book of Kings, the 
First Book of Chronicles, the Second Book of 
Chronicles, the Book of Ezra, the Book of Nehe- 
miah. the Book of Esther, the Book of Job, the 
Psalms, the Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, or the 
Preacher, Cantica, or Songs of Solomon, Four 
Prophets the greater, Twelve Prophets the less. 
All the books of the New Testament, as they are 
commonly received, we do receive and account 
canonical. 

VI. Of the Old Testament. 

The Old Testament is not contrary to the 
New; for both in the Old and New Testaments 
everlasting life is offered to mankind by Christ, 
who is the only Mediator between God and man, 
being God and man. Wherefore they are not to 
be heard who feign that the old fathers did look 
only for transitory promises. Although the law 
given from God by Moses, as touching ceremonies 
and rites, doth not bind Christians, nor oughl 
the civil precepts thereof of necessity to be re- 
ceived in any commonwealth; yet, notwithstand- 
ing, no Christian whatsoever is free from the 
obedience of the commandments which are called 
moral. 



The Constitution of 1900. 45 

VII. Of Original or Birth Sin. 
Original sin standeth not in the following of 
Adam (as the Pelagians do vainly talk), but it 
is the corruption of the nature of every man, 
that naturally is engendered of the offspring of 
Adam, whereby man is very far gone from orig- 
inal righteousness, and of his own nature in- 
clined to evil, and that continually. 

VIII. Of Free Will 
The condition of man after the fall of Adam 
is such that he can not turn and prepare him- 
self, by his own natural strength and works, to 
faith, and calling upon God; wherefore we have 
no power to do good works, pleasant and ac- 
ceptable to God, without the grace of God by 
Christ preventing us, that we may have a good 
will, and working with us, when we have that 
good will. 

IX. Of the Justification of Man. 

We are accounted righteous before God, only 
for the merit of our Lord and Savior Jesus 
Christ, by faith, and not for our own works or 
deservings; wherefore, that we are justified by 
faith only, is a most wholesome doctrine, and 
very full of comfort. 



46 Methodist Constitution and Charters, 

A". Of Good Works. 

Although good works, which are the fruits of 
faith, and follow after justification, can not put 
away our sins, and endure the severity of God's 
judgment; yet are they pleasing and acceptable 
to God in Christ, and spring out of a true and 
lively faith, insomuch that by them a lively faith 
may be as evidently known as a tree is discerned 
by its fruit. 

XI. Of Works of Supererogation. 

Voluntary works, besides over and above 
God's commandments, which are called works of 
supererogation, can not be taught without arro- 
gancy and impiety. For by them men do declare 
that they do not only render unto God as much 
as they are bound to do, but that they do more 
for his sake than of bounden duty is required; 
whereas Christ saith plainly, When ye have done 
all that is commanded you, say, We are unprofit- 
able servants. 

XII. Of Sin after Justfication. 

Not every sin willingly committed after jus- 
tification is the sin against the Holy Ghost and 
unpardonable. Wherefore, the grant of repent- 
ance is not to be denied to such as fall into sin 



The Constitution of 1900. 47 

after justification: after we have received the 
Holy Ghost, we may depart from grace given, 
and fall into sin, and, by the grace of God, rise 
again and amend our lives. And, therefore, they 
are to be condemned who say they can no more 
sin as long as they live here, or deny the place 
of forgiveness to such as truly repent. 

XIII. Of the Church. 

The visible Church of Christ is a congrega- 
tion of faithful men, in which the pure Word of 
God is preached, and the sacraments duly ad- 
ministered according to Christ's ordinance, in all 
those things that of necessity are requisite to 
the same. 

XIV. Of Purgatory. 

The Eomish doctrine concerning purgatory, 
pardons, worshiping, and adoration, as well of 
images as of relics, and also invocation of saints, 
is a fond thing, vainly invented, and grounded 
upon no warrant of Scripture, but repugnant to 
the Word of God. 

XV. Of Speaking in the Congregation in such a 
Tongue as the People understand. 

It is a thing plainly repugnant to the Word of 
God, and the custom of the primitive Church, 



48 Methodist Constitution and Charters. 

to have public prayer in the Church, or to ad- 
minister the Sacraments, in a tongue not under- 
stood by the people. 

XVI. Of the Sacraments. 

Sacraments ordained of Christ are not only 
badges or tokens of Christian men's profession, 
but rather they are certain signs of grace, and 
God's good will toward us, by the which he doth 
work invisibly in us, and doth not only quicken, 
but also strengthen and confirm, our faith in 
him. 

There are two Sacraments ordained of Christ 
our Lord in the Gospel; that is to say, Baptism 
and the Supper of the Lord. 

Those five commonly called Sacraments— that 
is to say, confirmation, penance, orders, matri- 
mony, and extreme unction— are not to be counted 
for Sacraments of the Gospel; being such as have 
partly grown out of the corrupt following of the 
Apostles, and partly are states of life allowed 
in the Scriptures, but yet have not the like na- 
ture of Baptism and the Lord's Supper, because 
they have not any visible sign or ceremony or- 
dained of God. 

The Sacraments were not ordained of Christ 
to be gazed upon, or to be carried about; but that 



The Constitution of 1900. 49 

we should duly use them. And in such only as 
worthily receive the same they have a wholesome 
effect or operation: but they that receive them 
unworthily, purchase to themselves condemna- 
tion, as St. Paul saith, 1 Cor. xi, 29. 

XVII. Of Baptism. 

Baptism is not only a sign of profession and 
mark of difference whereby Christians are dis- 
tinguished from others that are not baptized; 
but it is also a sign of regeneration or the new 
birth. The baptism of young children is to be 
retained in the Church. 

XVIII. Of the Lord's Supper. 

The Supper of the Lord is not only a sign 
of the love that Christians ought to have among 
themselves one to another, but rather is a Sacra- 
ment of our redemption by Christ's death; inso- 
much that, to such as rightly, worthily, and with 
faith receive the same, the bread which we break 
is a partaking of the body of Christ; and like- 
wise the cup of blessing is a partaking of the 
blood of Christ. 

Transubstantiation, or the change of the sub- 
stance of bread and wine in the Supper of our 
Lord, can not be proved by Holy Writ, but is 



50 Methodist Cmistitution and Charters, 

repugnant to the plain words of Scripture, over- 
throweth the nature of a Sacrament, and hath 
given occasion to many superstitions. 

The bod}' of Christ is given, taken, and eaten 
in the Supper, only after a heavenly and spiritual 
manner. And the means whereby the body of 
Christ is received and eaten in the Supper is faith. 

The Sacrament of the Lord's Supper was not 
by Christ's ordinance reserved, carried about, 
lifted up, or worshiped. 

XIX. Of Both Kinds. 

The Cup of the Lord is not to be denied to 

the Lay People; for both the parts of the Lord's 

Supper, by Christ's ordinance and commandment, 

ought to be administered to all Christians alike. 

XX. Of the one Oblation of Christ, finished upon 
the Cross. 

The offering of Christ, once made, is that per- 
fect redemption, propitiation, and satisfaction for 
all the sins of the whole world, both original and 
actual ; and there is none other satisfaction for 
sin but that alone. Wherefore the sacrifice of 
masses, in the which it is commonly said that the 
priest doth offer Christ for the quick and the 
dead, to have remission of pain or guilt, is a blas- 
phemous fable and dangerous deceit. 



The Constitution of 1900. 51 

XXI. Of the Marriage of Ministers. 

The Ministers of Christ are not commanded 
by God's law either to vow the estate of single 
life, or to abstain from marriage: therefore it is 
lawful for them, as for all other Christians, to 
marry at their own discretion, as they shall judge 
the same to serve best to godliness. 

XXII. Of the Rites and Ceremonies of Churches. 

It is not necessary that rites and ceremonies 
should in all places be the same, or exactly alike ; 
for they have been always different, and may be 
changed according to the diversity of countries, 
times, and men's manners, so that nothing be 
ordained against God's Word. Whosoever, 
through his private judgment, willingly and pur- 
posely doth openly break the rites and ceremonies 
of the Church to which he belongs, which are 
not repugnant to the Word of God, and are or- 
dained and approved by common authority, ought 
to be rebuked openly (that others may fear to 
do the like), as one that offendeth against the 
common order of the Church, and woundeth the 
consciences of weak brethren. 

Every particular Church may ordain, change, 
or abolish rites and ceremonies, so that all things 
may be done to edification. 



52 Methodist Constitution and Charters, 

XXIII. Of the Rulers of the United States of 
America. 

The President, the Congress, the General 
Assemblies, the Governors, and the Councils of 
State, as the Delegates of the People, are the Rulers 
of the United States of America, according to 
the division of power made to them by the Con- 
stitution of the United States, and by the Con- 
stitutions of their respective States. And the 
said States are a sovereign and independent 
Nation, and ought not to be subject to any for- 
eign jurisdiction.* 

XXIV. Of Christian Men's Goods. 

The riches and goods of Christians are not 
common, as touching the right, title, and pos- 
session of the same, as some do falsely boast. 
Notwithstanding, every man ought, of such things 
as he possesseth, liberally to give alms to the 
poor, according to his ability. 



* As far as it respects civil affairs, we believe it the duty of 
Christians, and especially of all Christian Ministers, to be 
subject to the supreme authority of the country where thej 
may reside, and to use all laudable means to enjoin obedience 
to the powers that be; and therefore it is expected that all our 
Preachers and People, who maybe under the British or any 
other Government, will behave themselves as peaceable and 
orderly sublects. 



The Constitution of 1900. 53 

XXV. Of a Christian Man's Oath. 

As we confess that vain and rash swearing 
is forbidden Christian men by onr Lord Jesus 
Christ and James his Apostle; so we judge that 
the Christian religion doth not prohibit, but that 
a man may swear when the magistrate requireth, 
in a cause of faith and charity, so it be done 
according to the Prophet's teaching, in justice, 
judgment, and truth. 



DIVISION II. 

THE GrENERAL EULES. 

The Nature, Design, and General Eules of our 
United Societies.* 

In the latter end of the year 1739 eight or origin of the 
ten persons who appeared to be deeply convinced United Societies, 
of sin, and earnestly groaning for redemption, 
came to Mr. Wesley in London. They desired, 
as did two or three more the next day, that he 



* The United Societies founded in this country by the 
apostolic Asbury and his colaborers were, in 1784, organized 
into the Methodist Episcopal Ohurch. But in this chapter, 
and occasionally elsewhere in the Discipline, the words 
Sni-irtt/ and Societies are retained as the equivalent of the 
words Church and Churches, both as a convenience, and as a 
memorial of our early ecclesiastical life.— Com. of Revision, 
1892. 



54 Methodist Constitution and Charters. 

would spend some time with them in prayer, and 
advise them how to flee from the wrath to come, 
which they saw continually hanging over their 
heads. That he might have more time for this 
great work, he appointed a day when they might 
all come together; which from thenceforward 
they did every week, namely, on Thursday, in 
the evening. To these, and as many more as de- 
sired to join with them (for their number in- 
creased daily), he gave those advices from time 
to time which he judged most needful for them; 
and they always concluded their meeting with 
prayer suited to their several necessities. 
Origin of This was the rise of the United Society, 

Methodism. £ rs ^- j n Europe, and then in America. Such a 
society is no other than "a company of men hav- 
ing the form and seeking the power of godliness, 
united in order to pray together, to receive the word 
of exhortation, and to watch over one another in 
love, that they may help each other to work out their 
salvation" 
The class, and That it may the more easily be discerned 

the leader. w ] ie ^ er they are indeed working out their own 
salvation, each Society is divided into smaller 
companies, called Classes, according to their re- 
spective places of abode. There are about twelve 
persons in a Class, one of whom is styled The 
Leader. It is his duty, 



The Constitution of 1900. 55 

§ 1. To see each person in his Class once a Duties of leaders, 
week at least; in order, (1.) To inquire how his 
soul prospers. (2.) To advise, reprove, comfort, 
or exhort, as occasion may require. (3.) To re- 
ceive what he is willing to give toward the relief 
of the Preachers, Church, and poor.* 

§ 2. To meet the Ministers and the Stewards Leaders' meeting, 
of the Society once a week; in order, (1.) To in- 
form the Minister of any that are sick, or of 
any that walk disorderly and will not be reproved. 
(2.) To pay the Stewards what he has received 
of his Class in the week preceding. 

There is only one condition previously re- Condition of mem- 
quired of those who desire admission into these ers Ip ' 
Societies — "a desire + o flee from the wrath to 
come, and to be saved from their sins." But 
wherever this is really fixed in the soul it will 
be shown by its fruits. 

It is therefore expected of all who continue Proofs, 
therein that they shall continue to evidence their 
desire of salvation, 

First : By doing no harm, by avoiding evil of Reforming, 
every kind, especially that which is most generally 
practiced; such as, 

The taking of the name of God in vain. 

The profaning the day of the Lord, either 



*This part refers to towns and cities, where the poor are 
generally numerous and Church expenses considerable. 



56 Methodist Constitution and Cha/rters-. 

by doing ordinary work therein or by buying or 
selling. 

Drunkenness, buying or selling spirituous 
liquors, or drinking them, unless in cases of ex- 
treme necessity. 

Slaveholding; buying or selling slaves. 

Fighting, quarreling, brawling, brother going 
to law with brother; returning evil for evil, or 
railing for railing; the using many words in buy- 
ing or selling. 

The buying or selling goods that have not 
paid the duty. 

The giving or taking things on usury — that 
is, unlawful interest. 

Uncharitable or unprofitable conversation; 
particularly speaking evil of Magistrates or of 
Ministers. 

Doing to others as we would not they should 
do unto us. 

Doing what we know is not for the glory of 
God, as: 

The putting on of gold and costly apparel. 

The taking such diversions as can not be used 
in the name of the Lord Jesus. 

The singing those songs, or reading those 
books, which do not tend to the knowledge or love 
of God. 

Softness and needless self-indulgence. 



The Constitution of 1900. 57 

Laying up treasure upon earth. 

Borrowing without a probability of paying; 
or taking up goods without a probability of pay- 
ing for them. 

It is expected of all who continue in these Further proofs. 
Societies that they shall continue to evidence 
their desire of salvation, 

Sceond: By doing good; by being in every Performing, 
kind merciful after their power; as they have 
opportunity, doing good of every possible sort, 
and, as far as possible, to all men: 

To their bodies, of the ability which God giv- 
eth, by giving food to the hungry, by clothing 
the naked, by visiting or helping them that are 
sick or in prison: 

To their souls, by instructing, reproving, or 
exhorting all we have any intercourse with; 
trampling under foot that enthusiastic doctrine, 
that "we are not to do good unless our hearts oe 
free to it." 

By doing good, especially to them that are 
of the household of faith or groaning so to be; 
employing them preferably to others; buying one 
of another; helping each other in business; and 
so much the more because the world will love 
its own and them only. 

By all possible diligence and frugality, that 
the Gospel be not blamed. 



58 Method ix1 ( 'mist it i/t ion and Charters. 

By running with patience the race which is 
set before them, denying themselves, and taking 
up their cross daily; submitting to bear the re- 
proach of Christ, to be as the filth and offscour- 
ing of the world; and looking that men should 
say all manner of evil of them falsely, for the 
Lord's sake. 
ontinued proofs. It is expected of all who desire to continue 
in these Societies that they shall continue to evi- 
dence their desire of salvation, 
Conforming. Third: By attending upon all the ordinances 
of God; such are, 

The Public Worship of God; 

The Ministry of the Word, either read or ex- 
pounded; 

The Supper of the Lord; 

Family and private Prayer; 

Searching the Scriptures; 

Fasting or Abstinence. 
Origin of the These are the General Rules of our Societies; 
General Rules. all which we are taught of Go d to observe, even 

in his written W T ord, which is the only rule, and 
the sufficient rule, both of our faith and practice. 
And all these we know his Spirit writes on truly 
awakened hearts. If there be any among us who 
observes them not, who habitually breaks any 
of them, let it be known unto them who watch 



The Constitution of 1900. 59 

over that soul as they who must give an account. 

We will admonish him of the error of his ways. 

We will bear with him for a season. But if then Self excluded. 

he repent not, he hath no more place among us. 

We have delivered our own souls. 



DIVISION III. 

Articles of Organization and Government. 

Part I. 

Pastoral Charges, Quarterly and Annual Confer- 
ences. 

Article I. Pastoral Charges. — Members of 
the Church shall be divided into local Societies, 
one or more of which shall constitute a Pastoral 
Charge. 

Article II. Quarterly Conferences. — A 
Quarterly Conference shall be organized in each 
Pastoral Charge, and be composed of such per- 
sons and have such powers as the General Con- 
ference may direct. 

Article III. Annual Conferences. — The 
Traveling Preachers shall be organized by the 
General Conference into Annual Conferences, the 
sessions of which they are required to attend. 



60 Methodist Constitution and Charters. 

Part II. 

The General Conference. 

Composition. Article I. How Composed. — The General 
Conference shall be composed of Ministerial and 
Lay Delegates, to be chosen as hereinafter pro- 
vided. 

Article II. Ministerial Delegates. — § 1. 
Each Annual Conference shall be entitled to at 
least one Ministerial Delegate. The General Con- 
Ministerial ference shall not allow more than one Ministerial 
Delegates. Dd e g a i; e for every fourteen members of an An- 
nual Conference, nor less than one for every 
forty-five; but for a fraction of two-thirds or 
more of the number fixed by the General Con- 
ference as the ratio of representation an Annual 
Conference shall be entitled to an additional 
Delegate. 

§ 2. The Ministerial Delegates shall be elected 
by ballot by the members of the Annual Con- 
ference at its session immediately preceding the 

liow chosen. General Conference. Such Delegates shall be 
Elders, at least twenty-five years of age, and shall 
have been members of an Annual Conference 
Eligibility, four successive years, and at the time of their 
election and at the time of the session of the 
General Conference shall be members of the An- 
nual Conference which elected them. An Annual 



The Constitution of 1900. 61 

Conference may elect Eeserve Delegates, not ex- 
ceeding three in number, and not exceeding the 
number of its Delegates. 

§ 3. Xo minister shall be counted twice in ' 
the same year in the basis for the election of 
Delegates to the General Conference, nor vote in 
such election where he is not counted, nor vote 
in two Conferences in the same year on a Con- 
stitutional question. 

Article III. Lay Delegates. — § 1. A Lay How constituted. 
Electoral Conference shall be constituted quad- 
rennially, or whenever duly called by the Gen- 
eral Conference, within the bounds of each An- 
nual Conference, for the purpose of electing Lay 
Delegates to the General Conference, and for the 
purpose of voting on constitutional changes. It Composition, 
shall be composed of lay members, one from each 
Pastoral Charge within its bounds, chosen by the 
lay members of the Charge over twenty-one years 
of age, in such manner as the General Conference 
may determine. Each Pastoral Charge shall also 
elect in the same manner one Eeserve Delegate. 
Members not less than twenty-one years of age, 
and holding membership in the Pastoral Charges 
electing them, are eligible to membership in the 
Lay Electoral Conference. 

§2. The Lay Electoral Conference shall as- Time and place 
Bemble at the seat of the Annual Conference on o{ meetin 9- 



62 Methodist Constitution and Charters. 

the first Friday of the session immediately pre- 
ceding the General Conference, unless the Gen- 
eral Conference shall provide otherwise. 
Organization. § 3. The Lay Electoral Conference shall or- 
ganize by electing a President and Secretary, shall 
adopt its own Rules of Order, and shall be the 
judge of the election, returns, and qualifications 
of its own members. 

^ntXT ® 4 ' Each Lay Electoral Conference shall be 
entitled to elect as many Delegates to the Gen- 
eral Conference as there are Ministerial Dele- 
gates from the Annual Conference. A Lay Elec- 
toral Conference may elect Reserve Delegates, 
not exceeding three in number, and not exceed- 
ing the number of its Delegates. These elections 
shall be by ballot. 
Eligibility. § 5. Lay members twenty-five years of age, or 
over, holding membership in Pastoral Charges 
within the bounds of the Lay Electoral Confer- 
ence, and having been lay members of the Church 
five years next preceding, shall be eligible to elec- 
tion to the General Conference. Delegates-elect 
who cease to be members of the Church within 
the bounds of the Lay Electoral Conference by 
which they were elected shall not be entitled to 
seats in the General Conference. 

Article IV. Credentials.— The Secretaries 



The Constitution of 1900. 63 

of the several Annual and Lay Electoral Confer- 
ences shall furnish certificates of election to the 
Delegates severally, and send a certificate of such 
election to the Secretary of the preceding Gen- 
eral Conference immediately after the adjourn- 
ment of said Annual or Lay Electoral Conference. 

Article V. Sessions. — § 1. The General General Confer- 
Conference shall meet at ten o'clock on the morn- ence session - 
ing of the first Wednesday in the month of May, 
in every fourth year from the date of the first 
Delegated General Conference — namely, the year 
of our Lord 1812 — and at such place in the 
United States of America as shall have been de- 
termined by the preceding General Conference, 
or by a Commission to be appointed quadrennially 
by the General Conference, and acting under its 
authority; which Commission shall have power 
also in case of emergency to change the place 
for the meeting of the General Conference, a 
majority of the General Superintendents concur- 
ring in such change. 

§ 2. The General Superintendents, or a major- Extra session of 
ity of them, by and with the advice of two-thirds same - 
of all the Annual Conferences, shall have the 
power to call an extra session of the General Con- 
ference at any time, constituted in the usual way; 
such session to be held at such time and place 



64 Methodist Constitution and Charters, 

as a majority of the General Superintendents, 
and also of the above Commission, shall desig- 
nate. 

Extra session § 3. In case of a great emergency two-thirds 
of Annual f ^e General Superintendents may call special 
sessions of the Annual Conferences, at such time 
and place as they may think wise, to determine 
the question of an extra session of the General 
Conference, or to elect Delegates thereto. They 
may also, in such cases, call extra sessions of the 
Lay Electoral Conferences for the purpose of 
electing Lay Delegates to'the General Conference. 
Presiding officers. Article VI. Presiding Officers. — § 1. The 
General Conference shall elect by ballot from 
among the Traveling Elders as many General 
Superintendents as it may deem necessary. 

President pro § 2- The General Superintendents shall pre- 
tempore. s id e j n the General Conference in such order as 
they may determine; but if no General Superin- 
tendent be present, the General Conference shall 
elect one of its members to preside pro tempore. 

§ 3. The presiding officer of the General Con- 
ference shall decide questions of order, subject 
to an appeal to the General Conference; but ques- 
tions of law shall be decided by the General Con- 
ference. 
How organized. Article VII. Organization. — When the 
time for opening the General Conference arrives 



The Constitution of 1900. 65 

the presiding officer shall take the chair, and 
direct the Secretary of the preceding General 
Conference, or in his absence one of his assist- 
ants, to call the roll of the Delegates-elect. Those 
who have been duly returned shall be recognized 
as members, their certificates of election being Credentials. 
prima facie evidence of their right to member- 
ship; provided, however, that in case of a chal- 
lenge of any person thus enrolled, such challenge 
being signed by at. least six Delegates from the 
territory of as many different Annual Confer- 
ences, three such Delegates being ministers, and 
three laymen, the person so challenged shall not 
participate in the proceedings of the General Con- 
ference, except to speak on his own case, until 
the question of his right shall have been decided. 
The General Conference shall be the judge of the 
election, returns, and qualifications of its own 
members. 

Article VIII. Quorum. — When the General Quorum. 
Conference is in session it shall require the pres- 
ence of two-thirds of the whole number of Dele- 
gates to constitute a quorum for the transaction 
of business; but a less number may take a recess 
or adjourn from day to day in order to secure a 
quorum, and at the final session may approve the 
Journal, order the record of the roll-call, and 
adjourn sine die. 



66 Methodist Constitution and Charters. 

Noting. Article IX. Voting.— The Ministerial and 
Lay Delegates shall deliberate together as one 
body. They shall also vote together as one body 
with the following exception: A separate vote 
shall be taken on any question when requested 
by one-third of either order of Delegates present 
and voting. In all eases of separate voting it 
shall require the concurrence of the two orders 
to adopt the proposed measure; except that for 
changes of the Constitution a vote of two -thirds 
of the General Conference shall be sufficient, as 
provided in Article XL 
Powers. Article X. Powers and Eestrictions. — The 
General Conference shall have full power to make 
rules and regulations for the Church under the 
following limitations and restrictions, namely: 
Limitations. § 1. The General Conference shall not revoke, 
alter, nor change our Articles of Religion, nor 
establish any new standards or rules of doctrine 
contrary to our present existing and established 
standards of doctrine. 

§ 2. The General Conference shall not or- 
ganize nor authorize the organization of an An- 
nual Conference with less than twenty-five mem- 
bers. 

§ 3. The General Conference shall not change 
nor alter any part or rule of our government 
so as to do away Episcopacy, nor destroy the 



The Constitution of 1900. 67 

plan of our itinerant General Superintendeney; 
but may elect a Missionary Bishop or Superin- 
tendent for any of our foreign missions, limiting . 
his Episcopal jurisdiction to the same, respect- 
ively. 

§ 4. The General Conference shall not revoke 
nor change the General Eules of our Church. 

§ 5. The General Conference shall not deprive Right to trial, 
our ministers of the right of trial by the Annual 
Conference, or by a select number thereof, nor 
of an appeal; nor shall it deprive our members 
of the right of trial by a committee of members 
of our Church, nor of an appeal. 

§ 6. The General Conference shall not appro- Proceeds of Book 
priate the produce of the Book Concern, nor of Concern - 
the Chartered Fund, to any purpose other than 
for the benefit of the Traveling, Supernumerary, 
and Superannuated Preachers, their wives, 
widows, and children. 

Article XL Amendments. — The concurrent Amendments, 
recommendation of two-thirds of all the members 
of the several Annual Conferences present and 
voting, and of two-thirds of all the members of 
the Lay Electoral Conferences present and vot- 
ing, shall suffice to authorize the next ensuing 
General Conference by a two-thirds vote to alter 
or amend any of the provisions of this Constitu- 
tion excepting § 1, Article X; and also, when- 



68 Methodist Constitution and Charters, 

ever such alteration or amendment shall have 
been first recommended by the General Confer- 
ence by a two-thirds vote, then so soon as two- 
thirds of all the members of the several Annual 
Conferences present and voting, and two-thirds 
of all the members of the Lay Electoral Confer- 
ences present and voting, shall have concurred 
therein, such alteration or amendment shall take 
effect; and the result of the vote shall be an- 
nounced by the General Superintendents. 



PROCLAMATION OF THE ADOPTION OF THE 
NEW CONSTITUTION. 

"Whereas, The General Conference of the year 
of onr Lord 1888 inaugurated a movement for a more 
accurate statement of the organic law of the Church, 
and provided for a Commission to prepare paragraphs 
to take the place of the paragraphs constituting the 
chapter on the General Conference in the Discipline 
of 1884, which revised paragraphs should determine 
and define the Constitution of the General Confer- 
ence, its composition, organization, powers, and the 
method of amending said Constitution; and 

"Whereas, The General Conferences, respectively, 
of 1892 and 1896 provided for like Commissions for 
the same general purpose; and 

"Whekeas. The twenty-eighth General Confer- 
ence of the Methodist Episcopal Church, on the 22d 
day of May. A. D. 1900, having considered and 
amended the report of the last appointed Commission, 
did (by a vote of 542 for to 94 against) on its part 



The Constitution of 1900. 69 

adopt and recommend to the Annual Conferences a 
revised fundamental law or Constitution for said 
Church, which new Constitution is duly set forth on 
pages 416 to 421 of the Journal of said General Con- 
ference, and also on pages 356 to 362 of the Discipline 
of said Church of the edition of the year 1900; and 

"Whereas, The said General Conference directed 
that the said new Constitution be submitted in the 
year 1901 to the several Annual Conferences for their 
action thereon, and further directed that in case three- 
fourths of all the members of said Annual Confer- 
ences present and voting should concur with the ac- 
tion of the General Conference above recited, the 
bishops should thereupon declare the new Constitu- 
tion adopted; and 

"Whereas, It has been duly certified to the bish- 
ops by the secretary of the General Conference of 
1900 and by the secretary of the Board of Bishops 
that in the Annual Conferences held in the said year 
1901, 10,766 members thereof were present and voted 
on the question of concurrence or nonconcurrence 
with the action of the General Conference of 1900 as 
above recited, and that of this total number of voters, 
8,241, being more than three-fourths of all, voted to 
concur with such action; 

'•Now, therefore, the Bishops of the Church, being 
assembled in semi-annual session in the city of Chat- 
tanooga, Tenn., do, in pursuance of the above author- 
ization, on this the 6th day of May, A. D. 1902, de- 
clare that the said Constitution has been duly adopted, 
and is now the fundamental law of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church. 

"By order and in behalf of the Board of Bishops, 
"James N. FitzGerald, Secretary. 

"Chattanooga, Tenn.. May 6, 1902." 



BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE METH- 
ODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. 



[It is believed the following Act was never before 
printed. It is inserted only for its historic interest. 
For the existing Charter, see page 72.] 

ACT OF INCORPORATION (1864) 

Of "The Board of Trustees of the General Conference 

of the Methodist Episcopal Church in the United 

States." Revised in 1868. 

"I, William L. Harris, Secretary of the General 
Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church of the 
United States of America, duly constituted, which 
held its sessions in the city of Philadelphia, Pennsyl- 
vania, beginning on the 2d day of May, 18G4, and con- 
tinuing from day to day thereafter, until the 27th 
day of May, 1864, do hereby certify: 

"That at the said sessions, the said General Con- 
ference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, to wit. 
on the 4th day of May, 1864, the following proceedings 
were had: 'Resolved, That a Committee of seven be 
appointed to report a plan of trusteeship in behalf 
of the General Conference to represent the Methodist 
Episcopal Church in the United States of America, 
and by virtue of their corporate powers secure and 
hold all bequests made to the Church for benevolent 
purposes.' 

70 



Board of Trustees. 71 

"On the 7th day of May, 1864, the following Com- 
mittee to report a Plan of Trusteeship for the General 
Conference was appointed, to wit: William Young, 
Elijah H. Pilcher, Albert Church, Williamson Terrill, 
James Lawson, John Miley, Kasimir P. Jervis. 

"On the 16th day of May, 1S64, the following pro- 
ceedings were had: William Young, Chairman of the 
Special Committee on a Plan of Trusteeship for the 
General Conference, submitted a report on that sub- 
ject, and it lies on the table under the rule. 

"On the 23d day of May, 1864, the following pro- 
ceedings were had: On motion of William Young, the 
order of business was suspended to take up the report 
of the Committee on a Plan for Trusteeship for the 
General Conference, presented and laid on the table 
May 16th; and it was taken up and the following 
changes of Discipline proposed in the report were 
adopted; namely, to insert in the chapter on Temporal 
Economy the following question and answers: 

"Question 1. What shall be done for the better se- 
curity of donations, bequests, grants, etc., made for 
benevolent purposes to the Methodist Episcopal 
Church in the United States of America? 

"Answer 1. The General Conference shall appoint 
and perpetuate a Board of Trustees, composed of min- 
isters and laymen, consisting of not less than five nor 
more than nine, who shall be invested with corporate 
powers, and shall be authorized to receive and hold 
in trust for the benefit of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, under the direction of the General Confer- 
«'ii<«>. any and all donations, bequests, grants, etc., 
made to the Methodist Episcopal Church not specially 
<1< situated or directed, but simply made to the Meth- 
odist Episcopal Church in the United States of 
America. 



7*2 Methodist Constitution and Charters. 

'"2. When any such donation, bequest, grant, etc., 
is made to the Church, it shall be the duty of the 
preacher in the bounds of whose charge it occurs, to 
give an early notice thereof to the Board, who shall 
proceed without delay to take possession of the same 
according to the provisions of their charter. 

"3. The Board shall make a faithful report of their 
doings and of the funds or property on hand at each 
quadrennial session of the General Conference of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church, and all donations thus 
reported and received shall be disposed of by order 
of the General Conference for the benefit of the Meth- 
odist Episcopal Church in the United States of 
America. 

•'The following resolutions contained in the report 
were also adopted: 

" 'Resolved, That the foregoing Board shall be 
located at Cincinnati, in the State of Ohio. 

" 'Resolved, That the following be, and they are 
hereby appointed to fill the said Board, to wit: Rev. 
Davis W. Clark, Rev. Joseph M. Trimble. Rev. Wil- 
liam Nast, Rev. Adam Poe, Rev. William Young, A. X. 
Riddle, Esq., M. B. Hagans, Esq., Thomas H. Whet- 
stone, Esq., John Fudge, Esq. 

" 'Resolved, That the Board so appointed are 
hereby instructed early to take steps to secure cor- 
porate powers under the laws of the State of Ohio, 
under the name and style of the "Board of Trustees 
of the General Conference of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church in the United States." to enable them legally 
to execute the prescribed trusts.' 

"The report of the Committee was then adopted 
as a whole, as follows: 

" 'The Committee on the Plan of Trusteeship for 
the General Conference would present the following: 



Board of Trustees. 73 

" 'In the judgment of your Committee there is a 
pressing necessity that some measure of this kind 
should be inaugurated in the Church. The plan we 
propose, we think, will meet this necessity. It can, 
at least, do no harm, and may result in much prac- 
tical good; it may save to the Church donations, be- 
quests, etc., which otherwise would be lost to it. We 
therefore recommend that the following question and 
answer be inserted in the Discipline in the chapter 
on Temporal Economy: 

" 'Question 1. What shall be done for the better se- 
curity of donations, bequests, grants, etc., made for 
benevolent purposes to the Methodist Episcopal 
Church in the United States of America? 

" 'Answer 1. The General Conference shall appoint 
and perpetuate a Board of Trustees, composed of 
ministers and laymen, consisting of not less than five 
nor more than nine, who shall be invested with cor- 
porate powers, and shall be authorized to receive and 
hold in trust for the benefit of the Methodist Epis- 
copal Church, under the direction of the General Con- 
ference, any and all donations, bequests, grants, etc., 
made to the Methodist Episcopal Church, not specially 
designated or directed, but simply made to the "Meth- 
odist Episcopal Church in the United States of 
America." 

•' "1. When any such donation, bequest, grant, etc., 
is made to the Church, it shall be the duty of the 
preacher in the bounds of whose charge it occurs to 
give an early notice thereof to the Board, who shall 
proceed without delay to take possession of the same 
according to the provisions of their charter. 

" 'The Board shall make a faithful report of their 
doings, and of funds or property on hand, at each 
quadrennial session of the General Conference of the 



74 Methodist Constitution and Charters. 

Methodist Episcopal Church, and all donations thus 
reported and received shall be disposed of by order 
of the General Conference for the benefit of the Meth- 
odist Episcopal Church in the United States. 

" 'The Committee would further recommend to the 
General Conference the passage of the following reso- 
lutions: 

" '1. Resolved, That the foregoing Board shall be 
located at Cincinnati, in the State of Ohio. 

" '2. Resolved, That the following persons be, and 
are, hereby appointed to fill the said Board, to wit: 
Rev. D. W. Clark, Rev. J. M. Trimble, Rev. W. Nast, 
Rev. A. Poe, Rev. W. Young, A. N. Riddle, Esq., 
M. B. Hagans, Esq., T. H. Whetstone, Esq., and John 
Fudge, Esq. 

" '3. Resolved, That the Board so appointed are 
hereby instructed early to take steps to secure cor- 
porate powers under the laws of the State of Ohio, 
under the name and style of "The Board of Trustees 
of the General Conference of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church in the United States," to enable them legally 
to execute the prescribed trusts. 

" 'Respectfully submitted. 

" 'William Young, 

" 'E. H. PlLCHER, 

" 'A. Church, 
" 'W. Terrell, 
" 'James Lawsox, 
" 'K. P. Jervis, 
" Mxo. Miley.' 

"And I do further certify that thereupon Davis 
W. Clark, Joseph M. Trimble, William Nast, Adam 
Poe, William Young, Adam N. Riddle, Marcellus B. 
Hagans, Thomas H. Whetstone, and John Fudge were 
duly elected the Board of Trustees of the General 



Board of Trustees. 75 

Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church in the 
United States, to hold their offices during the pleasure 
of the said General Conference; and that the corpo- 
rate name given to the said Trustees by the said Gen- 
eral Conference is, 'The Board of Trustees of the Gen- 
eral Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church 
in the United States.' 

"And I do finally certify that the Methodist Epis- 
copal Church of the United States of America has a 
principal place of business within the State of Ohio, 
to wit, in the city of Cincinnati, in the County of 
Hamilton; that I was the Secretary of the General 
Conference above mentioned, and that the foregoing 
is a true record of the proceedings thereof in this 
behalf. 

"Thus done and certified this seventh day of Feb- 
ruary, in the year of our Lord, 1865. 

"William L. Haeeis, 
"Secretary of the General Conference." 

"Ceetificate of Acceptance. 
"The undersigned, being a majority of the Board 
of Trustees of the General Conference of the Meth- 
odist Episcopal Church in the United States, and hav- 
ing been elected as such as appears by the certificate 
of William L. Harris, Secretary of the General Con- 
ference, above, and being desirous of availing our- 
selyes of the provisions of an Act of the Legislature 
of Ohio, entitled 'An Act to provide for the creation 
and regulation of Incorporated Companies in the 
suite of Ohio,' passed May 1, 1852, and the acts sup- 
plementary and amendatory thereto, do hereby certify 
that we do accept the provisions of the said Act, and 
the supplements and amendments thereto, and we do 
accepl and undertake the trusts imposed by the reso- 



76 Methodist Constitution and Charters. 

lutions and proceedings of the said The General Con- 
ference as set forth above. 

"Thus done and certified at Cincinnati, Ohio, this 
twenty-eighth day of February, in the year of our 
Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-five. 
"D. W. Clark, 
"Joseph M. Trimble, 
"Adam Poe, 
"William Nast, 
"A. N. Riddle, 
"Marcellus B. Hagans, 
"William Young." 

We think this document was never before printed. 
It is given only for its historic value. 



ACT OF INCORPORATION OF THE METH- 
ODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. 



(Copy of Original Document.) 



Be it remembered, That the Methodist Episco- 
pal Church of the United States of America, 
by the General Conference, an organized body, 
representing the said The Methodist Episcopal 
Church, at a session of the majority of the 
members of said Conference, held in the city 
of Chicago, in the State of Illinois, commencing 
on the first day of May, 1868, had the following 
proceedings, with a view of obtaining an Act Action of General 
of Incorporation, to be known under the form corporate t he 
and style of "Trustees of the Methodist Epis- Church, 
copal Church" — having a central or principal 
place of business in the city of Cincinnati, in 
the State of Ohio — said Act of Incorporation to 
be under and by virtue of "An Act to provide 
for the creation and regulation of Incoporated 
Companies in the State of Ohio," passed May 
77 



78 Methodist Constitution and Charters. 

1, 1852, and the acts amendatory thereof, and 
supplementary thereto, namely: — 

On the fourth day of May, 1868, F. C. Holli- 
day moved the appointment of a committee 
of seven persons "On the Trusteeship of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church," and the said corn- 
Committee, mittee was thereupon appointed, to wit: Daniel 
P. Kidder, William L. Harris, Cyrus Brooks, John 
L. Smith, Francis A. Blades, Charles A. Holmes, 
and John W. Locke. 

And on the first day of June the said com- 
mittee made the following report, which was 
adopted by the General Conference, namely : 
Report. Whereas, The General Conference in 1864 
provided for the incorporation of a board of 
trustees, under and by authority of the laws 
Charter ot 1864. of the State of Ohio, to be known under the 
form and style of "The Board of Trustees of 
the General Conference of the Methodist Epis- 
copal Church in the United States;" and, 
Amendment Wheeeas, It is desirable to obtain a new 
and amended charter under the general law of 
the State of Ohio, entitled "An Act to provide 
for the creation and regulation of incorporated 
companies in the State of Ohio/' passed May 
1st, 1852, and the acts amendatory and supple- 
mentary thereto; therefore, 

Resolved, That the General Conference of the 



Act of Incorporation. 79 

Methodist Episcopal Church, now assembled in 

Chicago, 111., hereby apply for such charter, Applied for. 

wherein the organization of the Board shall be 

more clearly defined, and its objects and scope 

enlarged. And the General Conference having 

elected D. W. Clark, F. C. Holliday, Joseph M. Board of Trustees 

Trimble, John Cochnower, Edward Sargent, e ec e ' 

Amos Shinkle, Luke Hitchcock, W. H. Goode, 

William Young, Harvey DeCamp, M. B. Hagans, 

and A. X. Riddle, the first Board of Trustees, 

hereby adopt the following 

Articles of Incorporation. 

First. The Board of Trustees hereby ere- Articles adopted, 
ated shall consist of six ministers and six lay- Composition, 
men in good and regular standing in the Meth- 
odist Episcopal Church, six of whom shall be 
appointed by the General Conference at each How and for how 
quadrennial session, and to hold office till their long appointed. 
successors have been regularly and duly ap- 
pointed; said corporation to be known under 
the form and style of "Trustees of the Meth- Corporate name 
odist Episcopal Church." And Davis W. Clark, propose ' 
F. C. Holliday, Joseph M. Trimble, Luke Hitch- 
cock, William H. Goode, William Young, min- 
isters, and Harvey DeCamp, M. B. Hagans, A. 
N. Eiddle, John Cochnower, Edward Sargent, 
Amos Shinkle, laymen, — are hereby elected and 



80 Methodist Constitution and Charters. 

appointed trustees to constitute the board be- 

Perpetual fore named, which board shall have perpetual 
succession. . l l 

succession, 

Powers. Second. The said board of trustees, under 
their corporate name, shall have power to take 
and hold by donation, gift, grant, devise, or 
otherwise, any property, real, personal, or mixed 
in any State in the United States, in behoof of 
and for the benefit of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, and the same to manage, grant, convey, 
lease, or otherwise dispose of, and to execute 
such trust or trusts as may be confided to said 
corporation — the whole to be under the super- 
vision of, and amenable to, the General Confer- 
ence, 

Third. The said board shall also be deemed 
competent to receive and administer any special 
Special trusts, benevolent trust in behalf of the church, not 
otherwise provided for in the benevolent so- 
cieties now existing under the authority or by 
the sanction of the General Conference. 

Fourth. The General Conference of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church in the United 
Successors. States shall elect or appoint successors of the 
said trustees hereinbefore named, at the quad- 
rennial meetings of said Conference, provided, 
Vacancies, however, that all vacancies occurring more than 
six months before the session of the General 



Act of Incorporation. 81 

Conference shall be filled by the bishops, the 
persons so appointed to hold office only up to the 
time of the General Conference, when their places 
shall be held as vacant, and shall be filled as 
aforesaid. 

Fifth. The Board shall have authority to Make By-laws and 
enact By-laws, not inconsistent with the design appoint officers - 
and provisions of this charter, for the transac- 
tion and regulation of its business, and shall 
have authority to appoint the necessary officers 
for the transaction of all business that pertains 
to it or that may come before it. 

Sixth. The Board of Trustees herein pro- Amenability, 
vided for shall be amenable to the General Con- 
ference for the management of the trust reposed 
in them, and they shall make quadrennial re- 
ports to that body. 

Seventh. A failure to elect a Trustee or 
Trustees, at any time, shall not work a disso- 
lution of this corporation. 

All of which is respectfully submitted. 
D. P. Kidder, Cyeus Brooks, 

W. L. Harris, C. A. Holmes, 

Jxo. W. Locke, F. A. Blades, 

John L. Smith, Committee. 

And the said report was adopted by the f ol- General Confer- 
Lowing vote, viz.: — one hundred and eighty-one for, ™" t a op s 
and none against. 



82 Methodist ( Constitution and Charters. 

And this was all the action of the said The 
General Conference in this behalf. 

Now, therefore, I, William L. Harris, Secre- 
tary of the said The General Conference of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church, duty elected and 
acting as such at the session aforesaid, do hereby 
Proceedings certify that the foregoing is a true record of 
certified. the procee ai n g S f t he said The General Con- 
ference in this behalf. 
Certificate of And I do further certify, That Davis W. 
election. Clar ^ R Q Holliday, Joseph M. Trimble, Luke 
Hitchcock, William H. Goode, William Young, 
ministers, and Harvey DeCamp, M. B. Hagans, 
A. N. Riddle, John Cochnower, Edward Sargent, 
Amos Shinkle, laymen were duly elected Trus- 
Corporate name tees as aforsaid, and that the name of the cor- 
certified. poration adopted by the said The General Con- 
ference is, The Trustees of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, and that its principal enterprise or busi- 
ness is carried on in the County of Hamilton, 
in the State of Ohio, and this Certificate is made 
for the purpose of becoming incorporated as 
aforesaid. 

William L. Harris, Secretary. 
Chicago, III., June 1st, 1868. 



Act of Incorporation. 83 

Certificate of Acceptance. 
The undersigned, having been elected Trus- 
tees of the Methodist Episcopal Church, as ap- 
pears by the foregoing certificate of William L. 
Harris, Secretary of the General Conference, 
above named, and being desirous of availing 
ourselves of the provisions of an Act of the 
Legislature of the State of Ohio, entitled, "An 
Act to provide for the Creation and Eegulation 
of Incorporated Companies in the State of Ohio," 
passed May 1, 1852, and the Acts supplementary 
and amendatory thereto, do hereby certify that 
we do accept the provisions of the said Act, and 
the supplements and amendments thereto, and 
we do accept and undertake the Trusts imposed by Trust accepted, 
the resolutions and proceedings of the said The 
General Conference of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church of the United States of America, as set 
forth above. 

This done and certified at Cincinnati, Ohio, 
this Twenty-Second day of July, in the Year of 
our Lord, one Thousand Eight Hundred and 
Sixty-Eight. 

Davis W. Clark, William Young, 

F. C. Holliday, Harvey DeCamp, 

Joseph M. Trimble, M. B. Hagans, 
William H. Goode, Edward Sargent, 
Adam N. Eiddle, John Cochnower, 

Luke Hitchcock, A. Shinkle. 



84 Methodist ( Constitution and < %a/rU rs. 

Received Noy 12, 1SGS. Recorded in Book 
of Church Records No. 2 page 296, Hamilton Co., 
Ohio,, Records. 

(Signed) Thos. L. Youxg, 

Recorder. 



THE PERMANENT FUND. 



Permanent Fund. There shall be a Fund known as "The Per- 
manent Fund/' to he held by the Trustees of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church, the principal of 
which shall be intact forever, and which shall be 
invested by said Trustees in first-class securities, 
and at as favorable rates as can be legally secured. 



THE BOOK CONCERN. 



[Under this name are included the publishing interests 
of the Church, which are quite as old as the Church itself. It 
was first used in this sense in the year 1800, as will appear from. 
th< j following historical facts taken from the early Disciplines. 
Special reference is made to pages 90, 92, 93, 94, where we 
have "book concerns," "the concerns of the books," "our 
Book Concerns," " the concern," " the book concern," and 
finally "the Book concern" used as the name of "the busi- 
ness." We may justly claim the name therefore as being an 
American institution originated by our fathers and as belong- 
ing exclusively to us.] 



(Discipline of 1787.) 
SECTION XXXI. 
On the Printing of Books, and the Application of the y ne printing of 

Profits arising therefrom. books in this 

"As it has been frequently recommended by the country. 
Preachers and People that such Books as are wanted 
be printed in this Country, we therefore propose— 

"1. That the Advice of the Conference shall be Conference 
desired concerning any valuable Impression, and their control. 
Consent be obtained before any Steps be taken for 
the Printing thereof. 

"2. That the Profits of the Books, after all the Profits applied. 

necessary Expenses are defrayed, shall be applied, 

according to the Discretion of the Conference, 

towards the College, the Preachers' Fund, the De- 

85 



86 Methodist Constitution and Charters. 

ficiencies of Preachers' Salaries, the distant Missions, 
or the Debts on our Churches." 

In Discipline of 1790, the above paragraph (2) was 
changed so as to read: 
Profits in 1790. "2. That the profits of the Books, after all neces- 
sary expenses are defrayed, shall be applied as the 
Bishop and Council shall direct." 

In 1792 a very much elaborated statement was 
made, as follows: 

"SECTION II. 

"Of the Printing of Books, and the Application of the 
Profits arising therefrom. 
First Manager. "Quest. 1. Who is employed to manage the Print- 
ing-business? 

"Answ. John Dickins. 

"Quest. 2. What allowances shall be paid him an- 
nually for his services? 

"Answ. 1. 200 Dollars, for a dwelling-house and 
for a book-room. 

"2. 80 Dollars for a boy. 
"3. 53 Dollars 1-3, for fire wood: and, 
"4. 333 Dollars, to clothe and feed himself, his 
wife, and his children. In all, 666 dollars 1-3. 
His powers. -Quest. 3. What powers shall be granted him? 

"Answ. 1. To regulate the publications according 
to the state of the finances. 
Called "2. To determine, with the approbation of the 
"Book Fund." Book-Committee, on the amount of the draughts 
which may be drawn from time to time on the book- 
fund. 

"3. To complain to the District Conferences, if 
any Preachers shall neglect to make due payment for 
books. 



The Book Concern. 87 

"4. To publish from time to time such books or 
treatises, as he and the other members of the Book- 
Committee shall unanimously judge proper. 

"Quest. 4. Who shall form the Book-Committee? First Book 

"Ansiv. John Dickins, Henry Willis, Thomas Has- Committee, 
kins, and the Preacher who is stationed in Philadel- 
phia from time to time. 

'•Quest. 5. How much shall be annually allowed Book Fund applied 
out of the book-fund for Cokesbury College, till the to Cokesbury 
next General Conference? Colle 9 e - ' 

"Answ. Eight hundred dollars, for the ensuing 
year: and one thousand fifty-six dollars and two- 
thirds, for each of the remaining three years. 

"Quest. 6. What directions shall be given, concern- How used, 
ing the application of the money allowed as above for 
Cokesbury College? 

"Answ. The money shall be applied as follows: 

"1. For the education and board of the boys that 
are now on the charitable part of the foundation. 
But no boy shall be again placed on the charity till 
the next General Conference. 

"2. The surplus of the money, after the charity is Charity first, 
supplied, shall be from time to time appropriated to 
the payment of the debt of the College, and to the 
finishing of the building, under the direction of the Bishop directs 
Bishop and the Committee of safety. book fund. 

N. B. The present debt of the College is about 
eleven hundred dollars. The present expence of the 
charity is about nine hundred and sixty-three dollars 
annually; but this will probably sink into less than 
one half before the next General Conference. 

"Quest. 7. What sum of money shall be allowed Book Fund applied 
distressed Preachers out of the book-fund, till the to help distressed 
next General Conference? preachers. 

"Answ. 266 dollars and 1-3 per annum. 



88 Methodist Constitution and Charters. 

"Quest. 8. How is the money mentioned above, for 
the benefit of distressed Preachers, to be drawn out 
of the book-fund? 
How drawn. "Answ. By the Bishop, according to the united 
judgment of himself and the District Conferences. 
District schools Quest. 9. What shall be allowed the Bishop out of 
helped, the book-fund, for the benefit of district-schools, till 
the next General Conference? 
"Anew. 04 dollars per annum. 
Surplus appro- ''Quest. 10. How shall the surplus of the book-fund 
priated to carry be applied till the next General Conference, after the 
° n *l , ^. h ** c J? nc J rn »? provisions above mentioned are made? 

"Answ. To the forming of a capital stock for the 
carrying on of the concerns of the books." 

In 1796 this was changed so as to read from Q. 3: 

"Quest. 3. What powers shall be granted him? 
Powers of Man- "Answ. 1. To regulate the publications according 
ager. to the state of the finances. 

"2. To complain to the district conferences, if any 
preachers shall neglect to make due payment for 
books. 

"3. To reprint, from time to time, such books or 
treatises, as he and the other members of the book- 
committee shall unanimously judge proper. 

"Quest. 4. Who shall form the book-committee? 
Second Book "Answ. John Dickins, Thomas Haskins, and the 
Committee, preachers who are stationed in Philadelphia, from 
time to time. 

"Quest. 5. What sum of money shall be allowed 
distressed preachers out of the book-fund, till the next 
general conference? 

"Answ. 266% dollars per annum. 

"Quest. 6. How is the money mentioned above, for 
the benefit of distressed preachers, to be drawn out of 
the book-fund? 



The Book Concern. 89 

"Answ. By the bishop, according to the united 
judgment of himself and the district conferences. 

In 1798 it was again changed so as to read from 
Q. 3.: 

'•Quest. 3. What powers shall be granted him? 

"Answ. 1. To regulate the publications according 
to the state of the finances. 

"2. To complain to the yearly conference, if any 
preachers shall neglect to make due payment for 
books. 

"Quest. 4. What sum of money shall be allowed 
distressed preachers out of the book-fund, till the 
next general conference? 

"Answ. 2GG dollars and % per annum. 

"Quest. 5. How is the money mentioned above, 
for the benefit of distressed preachers, to be drawn 
out of the book-fund? 

"Answ. By the bishop, according to the united 
judgment of himself and the yearly conferences. 

"Quest. 6. In what manner shall the accounts of Accounts audited, 
the general book- steward be examined? 

"Answ. The Philadelphia conference shall from 
year to year appoint a committee, who shall examine 
quarterly his receipts and disbursements and other 
accounts. 

•'Quest. 7. What mode shall be struck out for the Bad debts, 
recovery of bad or suspected book-debts? 

"Answ. 1. Let every yearly conference appoint a 
committee or committees for the examination of the 
accounts of the travelling book-stewards in their re- 
spective districts. 

''2. Let every presiding elder, and every preacher Collecting the 
who has the oversight of a circuit, do every thing in debts due. 
their power to recover all the debts in their circuit or 
district, and also all books which may remain in the 



'.hi Methodist Constitution omd Charters. 

hands of persons who shall have resigned, or been 
Traveling withdrawn from the office of a travelling book- 
Book Stewards, steward. 

"Quest. 8. Shall any drafts be made on the book- 
innd before all its debts are discharged? 
Pay debts first. "Answ. There shall be none, till the debts are dis- 
charged, except in the case of distressed travelling 
preachers. 

"Quest. 9. What directions shall be given concern- 
ing the regulation of our press? 
General Book "Anew. The general book-steward shall print no 

Steward, the books or tracts of any kind, without the consent of a 
B ' Sh XilaM Ilia ,,ishop and two-thirds of the Philadelphia conference. 
Conference. "Quest. 10. 'Will the conference recommend, and 
engage to promote the publication of a Magazine, in- 
The Methodist titled The Methodist Magazine, which shall consist of 
Magazine, compilations from the British magazines, and of orig- 
inal accounts of the experiences of pious persons, and 
shall be published in monthly numbers? 

"Answ. The conference will recommend such a 
magazine, and desire that it may be printed." 

In 1800 it was changed as follows: 
First mention of "Q. 16. What directions are to be given respecting 
4I book concerns." om . book concerns? 

"A. The second section of the third chapter in 
the Form of Discipline on this subject, shall be left 
out, and the following be substituted in its place, viz. 

"SECTION II. 

"Of the printing and circulating of Books, and of the 

Profits arising therefrom. 

Superintendent of "!• Ezekiel Cooper is appointed the superintend- 

Printiny and Book ent of the printing and book business, who shall have 

business, authority to regulate the publications and all other 



The Book Concern. 91 

concerns of the business, according to the state of the 
finances from time to time. It shall be his duty to 
inform the annual conferences, if any of the preach- 
ers or private members of the society neglect to make 
due payment. He may publish any books or tracts 
which, at any time, may be approved of or recom- 
mended by the majority of an annual conference, pro- Annual Conference 
vided such books or tracts be also approved of by the and Book Com- 

book-committee, which shall be appointed by the mit 5 ee to . ° r r< i er 
„.-.... , „ T-T • \ books printed. 

Philadelphia annual conference. He may reprint any 

bopk or tract, which has once been approved and 

published by us, when in his judgment the same 

ought to be reprinted. 

"2. It shall be the duty of every presiding elder, Presiding Elders 
where no book-steward is appointed, to see that his and the books, 
district be fully supplied with books. He is to re- 
quest the superintendent to send such books as are 
wanted, and to give direction to whose care the same 
are to be sent; and he is to take the oversight of all 
the books sent into his district, and to account with 
the superintendent for the same. He is to have the 
books distributed among the several circuits in his 
district, in such quantities and in such manner as he 
may judge proper. He is to keep an account with 
every preacher who receives or sells the books; and is 
to receive the money, and to forward it to the super- 
intendent. When a presiding elder is removed, he is 
to make a full settlement with the superintendent for 
all the books sold or remaining in his district; and is 
also to make a transfer to his successor of all the 
books and accounts left with the preachers in the 
district, the amount of which shall go to his credit 
and pass to the debit of his successor. 

"3. It shall be the duty of every preacher, who circuit Preachers' 
has the charge of a circuit, to see that his circuit be relation. 



92 Methodist Constitution and Charters. 

duly supplied with books, and to take charge of all 
the books which are sent to him, from time to time. 
or which may be in his circuit; and he is to account 
with the presiding elder for the same. When a 
preacher leaves his circuit, he must settle with the 
presiding elder for all the books he has disposed of: 
he is also to make out an inventory of all that are 
remaining unsold, which shall be collected at one 
place; the amount of which shall go to his credit, and 
be transferred to his successor, who is to take charge 
of the same. If the preacher who has the charge of 
the circuit be negligent in dispersing the books, the 
persiding elder shall commit the charge of the books 
to another. 
Superintendent of "4. The superintendent of the book-business may. 
Book business, from time to time, supply the preachers with books 
in those circuits which are adjacent to Philadelphia, 
and settle with the preachers for the same. In such 
cases the regulations respecting the presiding elders 
are not to apply. 
Prices. "5. In all cases where books are sent to distant 
places, the presiding elders or preachers shall be al- 
lowed to put a small additional price on such books as 
will best bear it, in order to pay the expense of freight 
or carriage: but the addition must not be more than 
what is necessary to defray such expenses. 
Committee on "6. Every annual conference shall appoint a corn- 
Accounts, mittee or committees to examine the accounts of the 
presiding elders, preachers, and book-stewards in 
their respective districts or circuits. Every presiding 
elder and every preacher shall do every thing in their 
" The concern." power to recover all debts due to the concern, and 
also all the books belonging to the concern, which 
may remain in the hands of any person within their 
districts or circuits. If any preacher be indebted to 



The Booh Concern. 93 

the book-concern, and refuse to make payment, or to "The book 
come to a just settlement, let him be dealt with for a concern." 
breach of trust, and such effectual measures be 
adopted for the recovery of such debts as shall be 
agreeable to the direction of the annual conferences 
respectively. 

"7. There shall be no drafts made upon the Book- First use of "the 
concern till its debts are discharged, and a sufficient Book Concern" 
capital provided for carrying on the business: after as * ne name - 
which the profits arising from the books shall be reg- 
ularly paid to the chartered fund, and be applied with Profits to the 
the annual income of the funded stock to the support Chartered Fund 
of the distressed travelling preachers and their fam- and Preachers, 
ilies the widows and orphans of preachers. &c. 

"8. It shall be the duty of the preacher or preach- Agents to settle 
ers who travel with any of the bishops, if he or they accounts, 
be authorized by the superintendent of the book 
concern, to act as an agent in the settlement of ac- 
counts, or in transacting any business belonging to 
the book concern. 

"9. In case of the death, dismission, or resigna- Philadelphia 
tion of the superintendent during the recess of the Conference fills 
general conference, the Philadelphia conference shall vacancies, 
have power to appoint another superintendent, till the 
next general conference. 

"10. No travelling preacher shall print or circulate Preachers not to 
any books or pamphlets, without the consent of the print or circulate 
annual conference to which he belongs, except as an outside publica- 
agent of the superintendent of the book-concern. lons ' 

"11. The Form of Discipline shall be printed by Discipline: with 
itself, and the Bishops' explanatory Notes by them- or without Bish- 
selves; but in such a manner that the Notes may be ops' Notes, 
conveniently bound up with the Form of Discipline. 
And every presiding elder, preacher or other person 
who has the charge of the books, may send to the 



94 Methodist Constitution and Charters. 

The Book Concern, superintendent of the book-eoncern for as many 
copies of the Form as he pleases, with or without the 

Notes." 

No other important changes were made until 1804, 
when Section II was changed to read as follows: 



"SECTION VII. 

"Of the Printing and Circulating of Books, and of the 

Profits arising therefrom. 

Book Business "1. The Book business shall be removed to and 
in New York, carried on in the City of New York. Ezekiel Cooper 
is re-appointed General Book Steward, who shall 
have authority to regulate the publications and all 
First Book other parts of the business, as the state of the 
Steward, fi nances and the demands of the connection shall 
from time to time require. It shall be his duty to 
inform the annual conferences, if any of the preach- 
ers or private members of the society neglect to 
make due payment. He shall publish such books 
General Confer- and tracts as are recommended by the general con- 
encemay ference, and such as may be approved of and rec- 
recommend. ommended by an annual conference, and none other. 
But he may reprint any book or tract, which has 
once been approved of and published by us, when 
in his judgment, and the judgment of the book com- 
mittee, the same ought to be reprinted. The book 
committee, consisting of five, shall be annually ap- 
pointed by the New- York conference, who shall, pre- 
vious to each annual sitting, examine into the ac- 
counts of the general book steward, and report to 
the conference the state of the concern.— John Wil- 
Assitant Editor son is appointed Assistant Editor and General Book 
and Book Steward, steward; and in case of the death or resignation of 



The Book Concern. 95 

the editor and general book steward, the assistant 
shall carry on the concern till the sitting of the next 
New-York conference. 

"2. It shall be the duty of every presiding elder. Duties of Pre- 
where no book steward is appointed, to see that his siding Elders. 
district be fully supplied with books. He is to order 
such books as are wanted, and to give direction to 
whose care the same are to be sent; and he is to take 
the oversight of all our books sent into his district, 
and account with the general book steward for the 
same. He is to have the books distributed among 
the several circuits in his district, and is to keep an 
account with each preacher who receives or sells the 
books; and is to receive the money, and to forward 
it to the general book steward. When a presiding 
elder is removed, he is to make a full settlement for 
all the books sold or remaining in his district and 
is also to make a transfer to his successor, of all the 
books and accounts left with the preachers in the 
district, the amount of which shall go to his credit 
and pass to the debit of his successor. 

"3. It shall be the duty of every preacher, who Preachers' duties, 
has the charge of a circuit, to see that his circuit be 
duly supplied with books, and to take charge of all 
the books which are sent to him, from time to time, 
or which may be in his circuit; and he is to account 
with the presiding elder for the same. When a 
preacher leaves his circuit, he must settle with the 
presiding elder for all the books he has disposed of; 
he is also to make out an inventory of all that are re- 
maining unsold, which shall be collected at one place; 
the amount of which shall go to his credit, and be 
transferred to his successor, who is to take charge 
of the same. If the preacher who has the charge 
of the circuit, be negligent in dispersing the books, 



96 Methodist Constitution and Charters. 

the presiding elder shall commit the charge of the 
books to another. 

Book Steward's "4. The general bo'ok steward may, from time to 
powers, time, supply the preachers with books, in those cir- 
cuits which are adjacent or convenient to New-York, 
and settle with them for the same: In such cases the 
regulations respecting the presiding elders are not to 
apply. 

Prices charged. "">. In all cases where books are sent to distant 
places, the presiding elders or preachers shall be al- 
lowed to put a small additional price on such books 
as will best bear it, in order to pay the expense of 
freight or carriage: but the addition must not be 
more than what is necessary to defray such expenses. 
Committee on "6. Every annual conference shall appoint a corn- 
Accounts, mittee or committees to examine the accounts of 
the presiding elders, preachers, and book stewards 
in their respective districts or circuits. Every pre- 
siding elder, minister, and preacher shall do every 
thing in their power to recover all debts due to the 
concern, and also all the books belonging to the con- 
cern, which may remain in the hands of any person 
within their districts or circuits. If any preacher or 
member be indebted to the book concern, and refuse 
to make payment, or to come to a just settlement, 
let him be dealt with for a breach of trust, and such 
effectual measures be adopted for the recovery of 
such debts as shall be agreeable to the direction of 
the annual conferences respectively. 
Profits of "~- The profits arising from the book concern, 

business after a sufficient capital to carry on the business is re- 
apportioned, tained, shall be regularly applied to the support of 
the distressed travelling preachers and their families, 
the widows and orphans of preachers, &c. The gen- 
oral book steward shall every year send forward to 



The Book Concern. 97 

each annual conference, an account of the dividend 
which the several annual conferences may draw that 
year; and each conference may draw for their pro- 
portionate part, on any person who has book money 
in hand, and the drafts with the receipt of the con- 
ference thereon, shall be sent to the general book 
steward, and be placed to the credit of the person 
who paid the same. But each annual conference is 
authorized at all events to draw on the general book 
steward for one hundred dollars. 

"8. In case of the death, dismission, or resigna- New York 
tion of the general book steward, during the recess Conference fills 
of the general conference, the New-York conference vacanc i es - 
shall have power to appoint another general book 
steward, till the next general conference." 

In 1808 the following was added to paragraph 7 
of Section VII— the action of 1804: 

"But no general book steward or editor in the Time limit, 
book concern shall serve in that department for more 
than eight years successively. 

"8. No travelling preacher is permitted to publish Restriction, 
any book or pamphlet without the approbation of the 
annual conference to which he belongs, or of a com- 
mittee chosen by them." 



FIRST GENERAL CONFERENCE ACTION LOOK- 
ING TO THE INCORPORATION OF 
THE BOOK CONCERN. 
The first motion relating to the incorporation of 
the publishing business was in 1804, as follows: 

"Dr. Coke moved that the book committee and 
the general book steward take such legal steps for 



98 Methodist Constitution and Charters. 

Security but not security to the general conference of the stock and 
incorporation cash in hand, and of what may be in future in pos- 
desired. sess ion of the general book steward, as may appear 
necessary, to some person or persons well versed in 
the law of the land, but without any incorporation 
whatsoever; and if no other security but an incorpo- 
ration be devised, the matter of security shall lie 
over to the next general conference." Carried. (See 
General Conference Journal, 1804, page 67.) 

In 1820 the following action was taken: 
"Resolved, That the superintendents be authorized, 
with the assistance of the agents and book commit- 
tee, if they shall jointly judge it expedient and neces- 
sary, to adopt some measures for the purpose of ob- 
Incorporation taining an incorporation or incorporations for the 
authorized, better security of the stock of the concern perma- 
nently to the General Conference of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, in conformity to the rules and 
regulations which are now or hereafter may be in our 
Discipline on the subject." 

Committee on In 1836 "the twenty-third article in the report of 
Incorporation, the Committee on Book Concern, relating to and 
authorizing and directing our Book Agents to obtain 
an Act of Incorporation for our Book Concern, was, 
on motion, referred to a Select Committee of three,' 
to examine and report thereon." 

"The Select Committee to whom was referred 
the twenty-third resolution in the report of the Com- 
mittee on Book Concern report: 

"That they have examined the opinions of three 
eminent lawyers, to whom were submitted sundry 
questions relating to the manner in which the prop- 
erty of the Book Concern is held in the city of New 



The Booh Concern. 99 

York, and, taking these opinions as a guide, we rec- Incorporation 
ommend to the Conference the adoption of the follow- recommended, 
ing resolutions: 

"Resolved, 1. That the surviving joint tenant, the The plan. 
Rev. Beverly Waugh, be and he is hereby requested 
to convey, under the advice of able legal counsel, the 
real estate which he now holds in trust for the Gen- 
eral Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, 
to the Revs. Thomas Mason and George Lane as joint 
tenants, and not tenants in common, in trust for the 
sole use and benefit of the General Conference of 
the Methodist Episcopal Church. 

"Resolved, 2. That the said Thomas Mason and | n N evv York. 
George Lane be and they are hereby directed to 
apply to the next Legislature of the State of New 
York for such an Act of Incorporation as shall secure 
the real estate in the city of New York belonging to 
the Methodist Book Concern to the General Confer- 
ence of the Methodist Episcopal Church, to be used 
and applied as the Discipline of said Church shall 
from time to time prescribe. 

"Resolved, 3. That the Book Agents at Cincinnati | n Cincinnati, 
are hereby instructed that whenever it is thought 
advisable, in conformity with a resolution passed at 
rht' present session of this Conference, to purchase 
a lot for the purpose of erecting buildings for the 
branch of the Book Concern in Cincinnati, to take 
measures for securing the premises legally to the Gen- 
eral Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, 
to be used and applied as the Discipline of said 
Church shall from time to time direct. 

"(Signed,) N. Bangs, Chairman. 

"May 27, 183G." 

L.ofC. 



100 Methodist Constitution and Charters. 

The whole report as amended and adopted, so far 
as relates to Resolution 3, is as follows (see General 
Conference Journal. 1836, pages 488, 491): 
Book Concern "6. There shall be an establishment of the Book 
at Cincinnati. Concern at Cincinnati, under the superintendence of 
an agent and an assistant, who shall manage the 
business in the western country so as to co-operate 
with the agents at New York/' 

"23. That for the purpose of securing the prop- 
erty belonging to the Book Concern more firmly to 
the General Conference of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, the Agents at New York and Cincinnati be 
authorized and directed to obtain, if practicable, an 
Act of Incorporation, and to take such other steps as 
may be deemed advisable for the accomplishment of 
this object.." 

Under this action of the General Conference of 
1836, Acts of Incorporation were obtained, and herein 
printed for their historic interest. These being about 
to expire by limitation, new Charters were ordered 
and obtained as hereinafter appears. 



FIRST ACT OF INCORPORATION OF "METH- 
ODIST BOOK CONCERN." 

Laws 1837, Chapter 232. 

An Act Relative to the Methodist Book Concern in 
the City of New York, passed April 21, 1837. 

The people of the State of New York, represented 
in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows: 
First incorpora- § 1. It shall be lawful for Thomas Mason and 

tion of the Agents. George Lane, agents for the Methodist Book Concern, 



The Book Concern. 101 

appointed by the General Conference of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church and their successors, as such agents, 
to take and hold real estate in trust, for the purposes 
of such agency, and to demise and convey the same ; 
but the value of such real estate, so taken and held by 
them, shall not exceed two hundred thousand dollars. 
§ 2. The real estate heretofore conveyed to Thomas 
Mason and George Lane, as agents as aforesaid, shall 
be considered as part of the real estate to be held by 
them, and their successors, as such agents, in trust as 
aforesaid. 

[Note.— The foregoing is given to show the background of 
the present — " The Book Concern " — and. to direct the attention 
to other inquiry. It shows the original conception to he that 
to a unit publishing business, with accommodative distributing 
agencies.] 



CHARTER OF METHODIST BOOK CON- 
CERN IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK. 



An Act to Incorporate the Methodist Book Concern 
in the city of New York, passed April 21, 1869. 



The People of the State of New York, repre- 
sented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as 
follows : 
The Agents § 1. Thomas Carlton and John Lanahan, 
re-incorporated. Agents of the "METHODIST Book CONCERN," and 
their successor or successors in office, are hereby 
created a body politic and corporate by the name 
of the 

Corporate name. METHODIST BOOK CONCERN IN THE ClTY OF 
New York, 
and by that name and style they and their suc- 
cessor or successors in office shall have perpetual 
succession, and shall be capable in law of hold- 
Rights and ing property — real, personal, and mixed — either 
pnvieges. ^ p Urc ] iase ^ gjf^ grant, devise, or legacy; subject, 
however, to all existing provisions of law relative 
to devises and bequest by last will and testament, 
102 



Cha/rter of the Methodist Book Concern. 103 

and to sell and convey the same ; but the value of 
the real estate so held, in the State of New York, 
shall not exceed fifteen hundred thousand dol- 
lars ; provided, that all such property shall be held Held in trust, 
in trust, and used only for the purpose or pur- 
poses hereinafter designated. 

§ 2. The object of the said corporation shall Objects. 
be to promote the advantages of education and 
the spread of Christianity, by the publication 
and sale of books, tracts, newspapers, and period- 
icals, and by the dissemination of moral and re- 
ligious literature; also by such other business as 
is commonly connected with publishing-houses or 
with book-making and book-selling. 

§ 3. The persons named in the first section Term of office, 
of this Act shall hold their offices until the quad- 
rennial session of the General Conference of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church in May, eighteen 
hundred and seventy-two, or until a successor 
or successors shall be elected in their places; and 
they shall have the management and disposition 
of the affairs and property of the said corpora- 
tion during their term of service. 

§ 4. The General Conference of the Methodist Agents appointed. 
Episcopal Church, at its session in eighteen hun- 
dred and seventy-two, and at each session there- 
after, may appoint the Agent or Agents of the 
said corporation, and shall have full power to 



104 Methodist Constitution and Charters. 

By-laws, make by-laws for their government in the 
management and disposition of the property and 
business of the Concern; and in case of a 
vacancy by death, resignation, or removal from 
office for cause, the vacancy or vacancies may be 
filled as prescribed in the Book of Discipline of 
said Methodist Episcopal Church. 
Of profits. § 5. None of the profits, produce, or property 
of said Methodist Book Concern - shall be em- 
ployed, distributed, or donated in any manner 
except as the said General Conference of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church shall prescribe and 
direct. 
Succession to § 6. All the real and personal property now 
Church of 1837. ^^ ^y, or j n ^e names f^ ^he present or any 
former Agents of the "Methodist Book: Con- 
cern in the City of New York," under an Act 
passed April twenty-first, eighteen hundred and 
thirty-seven, relative to the "Methodist Book 
Concern in the City of New York," shall, by 
virtue of this Act, become the property of this 
corporation. 
Powers. § 7. The said corporation shall also possess 
the general powers specified in the third title 
of chapter eighteen of the first part of the Ke- 
vised Statutes of the State of New York.* 
§ 8. This Act shall take effect immediately. 

*The provisions of this title are given on pages 100 to 105. 



Revised Statutes of New York. 105 

State of New York, "I 

Office of the Secretary of State, J 
I have compared the preceding with the orig- 
inal law on file in this office, and do hereby cer- 
tify that the same is a correct transcript there- 
from, and of the whole of said original law. 

Given under my hand and seal of office, at 
the city of Albany, this twenty-first day of April, 
in the year one thousand eight hundred and sixty- 
nine. D. Willers, Jr., 

Dep. Sec'y of State. 



THE REVISED STATUTES OF THE 
STATE OF NEW YOEK. 



Edition of 1859, Part 1, Chapter XVIII, Title III. 



Section 1. Every corporation, as such, has Powers of corpora- 
power • tions enumerated - 

1. To have succession by its corporate name 
for the period limited in its charter, and when 
no period is limited, perpetually. 

2. To sue and be sued, complain and defend, 
in any court of law or equity. 

3. To make and use a common seal, and alter 
the same at pleasure. 

4. To hold, purchase, and convey such real 
and personal estate as the purposes of the cor- 



106 Methodist Constitution and Charters. 

poration shall require, not exceeding the amount 
limited in its charter. 

5. To appoint such subordinate officers and 
agents as the business of the corporation shall 
require, and to allow them a suitable compensation. 

6. To make by-laws, not inconsistent with any 
existing law, for the management of its property, 
the regulation of its affairs, and for the transfer 
of its stock. 

Section 2. The powers enumerated in the pre- 
ceding section shall vest in every corporation that 
shall hereafter be created, although they may 
not be specified in its charter or in the act under 
which it shall be incorporated. 

Section 3. In addition to the powers enumer- 
ated in the first section of this title, and to those 
expressly given in its charter or in the act under 
which it is or shall be incorporated, no corpora- 
tion shall possess or exercise any corporate 
powers except such as shall be necessary to the 
exercise of the powers so enumerated and given. 

Section 4. Xo corporation created or to be 
created, and not expressly incorporated for bank- 
ing purposes, shall, by any implication or con- 
struction, be deemed to possess the power of 
discounting bills, notes, or other evidences of 
debt, of receiving deposits, of buying gold and 
silver bullion or foreign coins, of buying and sell- 



Bevis<:<J Statutes of New York. 107 

ing bills of exchange, or of issuing bills, notes, 
or other evidences of debt, upon loan or for cir- 
culation as money. 

Section 5. Where the whole capital of a cor- 
poration shall not have been paid in, and the 
capital paid shall be insufficient to satisfy the 
claims of its creditors, each stockholder shall 
be bound to pay, on each share held by him, the 
sum necessary to complete the amount of such 
share, as fixed by the charter of the company, 
or such proportion of that sum as shall be re- 
quired to satisfy the debts of the company. 

Section 6. When the corporate powers of any 
corporation are directed, by its charter, to be 
exercised by any particular body or number of 
persons, a majority of such body or persons, if 
it be not otherwise provided in the charter, shall 
be a sufficient number to form a board for the 
transaction of business; and every decision of a 
majority of the persons duly assembled as a 
board shall be valid as a corporate act. 

Section 7. If any corporation hereafter 
created by the Legislature shall not organize 
and commence the transaction of business within 
one year from the date of its incorporation, its 
corporate powers shall cease. (The Seventh Sec- 
tion of Title Third, Chapter XVIII, of the 
First Part of the Eevised Statutes shall not be 



108 Methodist Constitution and Chart* rs. 

so construed as to apply to any act for incor- 
porating a railroad company, which has or shall 
have in its own provisions the terms and the 
time in which it shall be forfeited for non-user.) 

Section 8. The charter of every corporation 
that shall hereafter be granted by the Legisla- 
ture shall be subject to alteration, suspension, 
and repeal, in the discretion of the Legislature. 

Section 9. Upon the dissolution of any cor- 
poration created or to be created, and unless 
other persons shall be appointed by the Legisla- 
ture or by some court of competent authority, 
the directors or managers of the affairs of such 
corporation at the time of its dissolution, by 
whatever name they may be known in law, shall 
be the trustees of the creditors and stockholders 
of the corporation dissolved, and shall have full 
power to settle the affairs of the corporation, 
collect and pay the outstanding debts, and divide 
among the stockholders the moneys and other 
property that shall remain after the payment of 
debts and necessary expenses. 

Section 10. The persons so constituted trus- 
tees shall have authority to sue for and recover 
the debts and property of the dissolved corpora- 
tion, by the name of the trustee of such cor- 
poration, describing it by its corporate name, and 
shall be jointly and severally responsible to the 



Revised Statutes of New York. 109 

creditors and stockholders of such corporation 
to the extent of its property and effects that shall 
come into their hands. 

Section 11. The dissolution of a corporation, 
by a decree of the Court of Chancery, or by the 
expiration of its charter or otherwise, shall not 
abate any suit or proceedings in favor of such 
corporation which shall have been pending at 
the time of such dissolution; but all suits or 
proceedings may be continued by the receivers 
who shall have been appointed for such corpora- 
tion by the Court of Chancery, or by the trus- 
tees on whom the estate and effects of such cor- 
poration shall have devolved, in the name of 
such corporation, or in the names of such re- 
ceivers or trustees, who may be substituted as 
plaintiff under the direction of the court in which 
the suit shall be pending, and subject to such 
order as the court may deem expedient in re- 
lation to the payment or security of costs. 

Section 12. Whenever a receiver of the prop- 
erty or effects of a corporation has been ap- 
pointed before its dissolution, or afterwards, new 
suits may be brought and carried on by such 
receivers, either in their own names or in the 
names of the corporation for which they shall 
have been appointed; but no new suit shall be 
brought in the name of a corporation after it 



110 Jhf lux list Constitution and Charters. 

shall have dissolved, or after the expiration of 
its charter. 

Section 13. No suit commenced in the name 
of any such receiver shall be abated by his re- 
moval or death; but the same may be continued 
in the name of his successor, or of the corpora- 
tion, if its charter has not expired or been dis- 
solved, as may be directed by the court in which 
the suit shall be pending. 

Section 14. The court in which any suit or 
proceeding against a corporation which shall 
have been dissolved by the decree of the Supreme 
Court, or by the expiration of its charter, or 
otherwise, shall be pending at the time of such 
dissolution, shall have power, on the application 
of either party hereto, to make an order for the 
continuance of such suit or proceeding, and the 
same may thereafter be continued until a final 
judgment or decree shall be had therein, which 
shall have the like effect upon the rights of the 
parties as if such corporation had not been dis- 
solved. 



THE WESTEBN METHODIST BOOK 
CONCERN. 



FIEST CHAETEE. 

AN ACT TO INCORPORATE THE METHODIST 
BOOK CONCERN AT CINCINNATI. (1839.) 

(Local Laws of Ohio, Vol. 37, page 192.) 

"Sec. 1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the 
State of Ohio, That John F. Wright and Leroy Sworin- 
stedt, Agents of the Methodist Book Concern, their 
successor or successors, are hereby created a body 
politic and corporate, by the name of the Methodist Name. 
Book Concern; and as such shall have succession for 
thirty years, and by that name may contract and be 
contracted with, sue and be sued, may have a com- 
mon seal, and the same alter and renew at pleasure. 

"Sec. 2. Said Methodist Book Concern shall be Rights. 
capable in law of holding property, real, personal and 
mixed, either by purchase, gift, grant, devise or leg- 
acy, and to sell and convey the same; but the value 
of the real estate so held shall not exceed one hun- 
dred thousand dollars: Provided, That all such prop- Property in trust, 
erty shall be held in trust only for the purposes of 
the said Book Concern: Provided, That said corpora- 
tion shall not be authorized or permitted to issue any 
certificates of loan, or by any device to issue a circu- 
111 



112 Methodist Constitution and Charters, 

lating medium to be used as money: Provided further, 
That this Act shall not be at any time construed as 
conferring banking or any other powers except those 
expressly granted by it. 

"Sec. 3. The General Conference of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church in the United States shall elect or 
appoint the successor or successors of the said John 
F. Wright and Leroy Swormstedt at any regular 
meeting thereof; and should an Agent so appointed 
die, resign, or be removed from said agency in the 
interval of the General Conference, such vacancy may 
be filled in such way as the said General Conference 
shall prescribe; and the said John F. Wright and 
Leroy Swormstedt, and their successor or successors 
in office, shall hold their agency and conduct the busi- 
ness of the Book Concern in conformity to the rules 
and regulations of said General Conference. 

"Sec. 4. The real estate heretofore conveyed to 
John F. Wright and Leroy Swormstedt, as Agents of 
the Methodist Book Concern, shall be considered as 
part of the real estate to be held by said corporation. 

"Sec. 5. Any future Legislature shall have power 
to modify or repeal this act: Provided, such modifica- 
tion or repeal shall not affect the title to any real 
estate or personal property acquired or conveyed 
under its provisions. 

"Jas. J. Faran, 
"Speaker of the House of Representatives. 
"William Hawkins, 

"Speaker of the Senate. 

"Adopted March 12, 1839." 



Act of In corporation . 113 



EEYISED CHARTEE. 

ACT OF INCORPORATION OF THE WESTERN 
METHODIST BOOK CONCERN. 

(Journal of the General Conference, 1868, pp. 298-300.) 

Be it Remembered, That the Methodist Epis- 
copal Church of the United States of America, 
by the General Conference, an organized body 
representing the said The Methodist Episcopal 
Church, having a central or principal place of 
business in the city of Cincinnati, in the State 
of Ohio, with branches in the cities of Chicago 
and St. Louis, which place of business is known 
as The Western Methodist Book Concern, at charter revision. 
a session of a majority of the members of said 
Conference, held at the city of Chicago, in the 
State of Illinois, commencing on the first day 
of May, 1868, had the following proceedings, 
with the view of obtaining an Act of Incorpora- 
tion under and by virtue of "An Act to provide 
for the Creation and Regulation of Incorporated 
Companies in the State of Ohio/' passed May 1, 
1852, and the acts amendatory thereof and sup- 
plementary thereto, namely: 

On the 26th day of May, 1868, Luke Hitch- 
cock moved the appointment of a Committee 



11-1 Methodist Constitution and Charters. 

to take into consideration the obtaining of a 
Charter for "The Western Methodist Book Con- 
cern" under the Laws of Ohio, and the said Corn- 
Committee mittee was thereupon appointed, to wit: The 
appointed, standing Committee on the Book Concern. And 
on the first day of June, the said Committee made 
the following report, namely: 

Your Committee recommend the adoption of 
the following preamble and resolution, namely: 
Report of. Whereas, The Methodist Book Concern, lo- 
cated at Cincinnati, 0., is a corporation under a 
special Charter, granted by the Legislature of 
Ohio, which special Charter expires by limitation 
in the year 1869, and its business has always 
been, and is now, managed by two persons under 
the direction of the General Conference; and 
Whereas, It is desirable to obtain a new Charter 
under the General Law of the State of Ohio, 
entitled "An Act to provide for the Creation and 
Regulation of Incorporated Companies in the 
State of Ohio," passed May 1, 1852, and the acts 
amendatory thereof and supplementary thereto; 
therefore, 

Resolved, That the General Conference of the 

Methodist Episcopal Church, now assembled in 

Charter Chicago, 111., hereby apply for such Charter. And 

applied for. the General Conference having elected Luke 

Hitchcock and John M. Walden Agents, your 



Act of Incorporation. 115 

Committee recommend the adoption of the fol- 
lowing 

Articles of Incorporation. 

First. The corporate name of L. Hitchcock 
and J. M. Walden, Agents of the Western Meth- 
odist Book Concern, and their successor or suc- 
cessors in office, to be chosen as hereinafter pro- 
vided, shall be "The Western Methodist Book Corporate name. 
Concern," and by such name shall have per- 
petual succession with power to contract, be con- Rights, powers, 
tracted with, to sue and be sued, implead and be an({ P rivile 9 es - 
impleaded; to take and hold by gift, grant, de- 
vise, or otherwise, an} 7 property, real, personal, 
or mixed, in the State of Ohio, and in the States 
of Illinois and Missouri, and in any other State 
of the United States, whenever and as the Gen- 
eral Conference may, from time to time, direct 
or determine, or as may be required in the tran- 
saction of the ordinary business of the corpora- 
tion, and the same to manage, grant, convey, 
lease, or otherwise dispose of; and to execute 
such trust or trusts as may be confided to said 
corporation for the promotion of the objects of 
this incorporation. 

Second. The objects of this corporation shall Objects, 
be the publication, diffusion, and circulation of 
moral and religious literature, books, periodicals, 
and publications, under the direction and in con- 



116 Methodist Constitution and Charters. 

formity with the rules and regulations of the 
General Conference of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church in the United States. 
General Confer- Third. The General Conference of the Meth- 
e " Ce ele direct"s d odist Episcopal Church in the United States shall 
elect or appoint a successor or successors of the 
said L. Hitchcock and J. M. Walden at any 
meeting of said Conference, and shall prescribe 
the term of their office; and should any person 
so elected or appointed die, resign, or be removed 
in the interval of said General Conference, such 
vacancy may be filled in such way as said Gen- 
eral Conference shall prescribe; and said L. 
Hitchcock and J. M. Walden, and their suc- 
cessor or successors in office, shall hold their 
office, exercise the powers herein conferred, and 
manage and conduct the business of said cor- 
poration, and appropriate the funds thereof, in 
conformity with such rules, regulations, and 
directions as from time to time may be pre- 
scribed by the said General Conference. 
Hold property. Fourth. Any property, real, personal, or 
mixed, now held by Adam Poe and Luke Hitch- 
cock, Agents of the Methodist Book Concern, 
or by "The Methodist Book Concern," a corpora- 
tion under a special Charter, granted by the 
State of Ohio, together with all its assets of 
every description, and wherever situated, is by 



A ct of In corporation. 117 

this action transferred to "The Western Meth- 
odist Book Concern/' hereby incorporated; and 
said Adam Poe and Luke Hitchcock shall, if 
necessary, convey the same by deed, or other writ- 
ing, to "The Western Methodist Book Concern," 
so as to vest therein a complete title thereto. 

Fifth. A failure to elect a Trustee or Trus- 
tees, at any time, shall not work a dissolution 
of this corporation. 

All of which is respectfully submitted. 
I. W. Wiley, 
Chairman Committee on the Booh Concern. 

I. C. Peeshixg, Secretary. 

And the said Report was adopted by the f ol- Report adopted, 
lowing vote; namely, 163 votes in favor of its 
adoption, and 1 vote against it. 

And this was all the action of the said The 
General Conference in this behalf. 

Now, therefore, I, William L. Harris, Sec- 
retary of the said The General Conference of 
the Methodist Episcopal Church, duly elected 
and acting as such, at the session aforesaid, do 
hereby certify that the foregoing is a true record 
of the proceedings of the said The General Con- 
ference in this behalf. 

And I do further certify, That Luke Hitch- 
cock and John M. W'aldex were duly elected 



118 Mi thodi&t Constitution and Charters. 

as Trustees or Agents as aforesaid, and that the 
name of the corporation adopted by the said The 
General Conference is "The Western Meth- 
odist Book Concern/' and that its principal en- 
terprise or business is carried on in the County 
of Hamilton, in the State of Ohio, and this cer- 
tificate is made for the purpose of becoming in- 
corporated as aforesaid. 

Chicago, III., June 1, 1868. 

William L. Harris, Secretary. 



Note. — The foregoing Act of Incorporation 
must be recorded in the Beeorder's Office, Ham- 
ilton County, Ohio, and thereupon it becomes 
complete. 



Eeceived June 11, 1868, and. recorded in Book 
No. 2 of Church Eecords, page 248 Hamilton 
County Eecords. 

Thomas L. Young, Recorder. 



CHARTER OF THE CHARTERED 
FUND 

OF THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH IN 
THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 



As Amended by Acts of the General Assembly of 

the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, approved 

June 11, 1832, P. L. 604; April 3, 1837, 

P. L. 168, and February 19, 1849, 

P. L. 70. 



Article I.* 

It is provided and declared that the name, First corporate 
style, and title of this corporation shall be "The name - 
Trustees of the Fund for the Eelief and Sup- 
port of the Itinerant, Superannuated, and Worn- 
out Ministers and Preachers of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church in the United States of Amer- 
ica, their Wives and Children, Widows and 
Orphans." And that the said Trustees shall con- 
sist of John Dickins, Thomas Haskins, Jacob 



* Style and Title changed. See first amendment, page 94. 
119 



120 Methodist Constitution and. Cha/rters. 

Baker, Henry Manly, Burton Wallace, Josiah 
Lusby, Hugh Smith, Caleb North, and Cornelius 
Comegys, and their successors, qualified and ap- 
pointed as is hereinafter mentioned. And they 
are hereby vested with full powers for carrying 
into effect the benevolent and charitable pur- 
poses in this instrument mentioned and declared. 

Akticle II. 

Rights, powers, It is provided and declared that the said 
pnvi eges. ^ rus ^ ees? an( j their successors, by the name, style, 
and title aforesaid, shall be able and capable, 
• in law, to take, receive, have, hold, possess, and 
enjoy all and all manner of lands, tenements, 
rents, annuities, franchises, and hereditaments, 
and any sum or sums of money, and any manner 
and portion of goods and chattels, given, granted, 
or devised unto them or their successors, by 
any person or persons, bodies politic or corporate, 
agreeable to the intention of the donors re- 
spectively, and according to the objects, articles, 
and conditions in this instrument mentioned 
and declared. And by the name, style, and 
title aforesaid, shall be able and capable, in law, 
to sue and be sued, plead and be impleaded, in 
any court or courts, before any judge or judges, 
justice or justices, in all manner of suits, com- 
plaints, pleas, causes, matters, and demands what- 



Charter of the Chartered Fund, 121 

soever, and all and every matter and thing therein 
to do, in as full and effectual a manner as any- 
other person or persons, bodies politic and cor- 
porate, within this Commonwealth, may or can do. 

Article III. 

It is provided and declared that, in case of Vacancies filled, 
the death, resignation, or expulsion from mem- 
bership (according to the rules and Discipline 
from time to time adopted by the itinerant min- 
isters and preachers of the said Church in their 
General Conference assembled) of any one or 
more of the members of the said corporation, or 
their successors, then, and in such case, it shall 
be the duty of the remaining Trustees to nomi- 
nate double the number of those whose seats 
may have been vacated as aforesaid, and to make 
a representation thereof, in writing, to the itin- 
erant ministers and preachers of the said Church 
in their next General Conference assembled; 
whose duty it shall be then and there to pro- 
ceed to choose, and, by a majority of votes, ap- 
point one or more persons (as the case may be) 
out of the whole number of those nominated by 
the Trustees, as aforesaid, to fill such vacancy 
or vacancies, in order to keep up the number 
of nine Trustees forever; and upon every such 
choice and appointment, a certificate shall issue 



1 % 2'2 Methodist ( 'onstitution and Cha/rU rs. 

from the said General Conference, signed by 
their President and countersigned by their 
Secretary, and directed to the Trustees of the 
said corporation, containing the name or names 
of the person or persons so chosen and ap- 
pointed, which said certificate shall be registered 
in the books of the said corporation; and the 
person or persons thus chosen and appointed 
shall be vested with all the powers and immuni- 
ties of a member of the said corporation; Pro- 
vided, nevertheless, that no person or persons 
Eligibility, shall be eligible as a Trustee or Trustees of the 
said corporation who has not been a member 
of the said Church (according to the Eules and 
Discipline thereof, as aforesaid) at least five years 
next preceding his or their election or appoint- 
ment, as aforesaid, and who shall not be at least 
twenty-five years of age. 

Akticle IV. 

Meetings. It is provided and declared that the said 
corporation shall meet at least once in every 
year (for the dispatch of their necessary busi- 
ness) at such time and place as a majority of 
them may judge most convenient and proper. 
And when so met they shall have power to 

By-laws, make such by-laws, rules, and regulations for 
their government, in the management of their 



Charter of the Chartered Fund. 123 

affairs, as a majority of them may judge neces- 
sary; and also at every such annual meeting 
they shall proceed to choose, and by a majority 
of votes appoint, two of their own number to 
act, the one as President, and the other as Sec- 
retary to the said corporation, who may con- 
tinue them in office from year to year, as a ma- 
jority of the said corporation may think proper. 

Article V.* 

Article VI. 

It is provided and declared that the annual Income applied, 
rents, interest, and income of the estate, real and 
personal, which now does, or at any time here- 
after may, belong to the said corporation and 
their successors, shall by them be held subject 
to the exclusive order and control of the itin- 
erant ministers and preachers of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church in the United States of Amer- 
ica, in their General Conference (from time to 
time) assembled; and the said ministers and 
preachers, thus assembled, are hereby vested with 
full powers to appropriate and point out the 
mode of applying the same to the objects, under 
the limitations, and for the uses and purposes 
herein mentioned and expressly declared. 

*This Article stricken put and a new one inserted In Its 
place. Bee second amendment, page ( .<7. 



124 Mi thodnst ( Constitution and Cha/rU rs. 

Article VII. 
Objects. It is provided and declared that the object 
and design of the fund hereby intended to be 
established is expressly for the purposes of re- 
lieving the distresses and supplying the deficien- 
cies of the itinerant and superannuated or worn- 
out ministers and preachers of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church in the United States of Amer- 
ica, who remain in connection with, and continue 
subject to the order and control of, the General 
Conference; as also for the relief of the wives 
and children, widows and orphans, of such min- 
isters and preachers, and for no other use, in- 
tent, or purpose whatever. 

Article VIII. 
Amounts limited. It is provided and declared that no sum ex- 
ceeding sixty-four dollars shall in any one year 
be appropriated and applied to the use of an 
itinerant, superannuated, or worn-out single 
minister or preacher; also, that no sum exceed- 
ing one hundred and twenty-eight dollars, in 
any one year, shall be applied to the use of an 
itinerant, superannuated, or worn-out married 
minister or preacher; and that no sum ex- 
ceeding sixty-four dollars, in any one year, shall 
be applied to the use of each widow of such 
ministers and preachers as are herein before men- 



Charter of the Chartered Fund. 125 

tioned and described; and also, that no sum ex- 
ceeding sixteen dollars shall be applied, in any 
one year, to the use of each child or orphan of 
such ministers and preachers as are herein be- 
fore particularly mentioned and described. 

Article IX. 

It is provided and declared that no sum or Uses of fdnd. 
sums of money, under any pretense whatever, 
shall be drawn from the fund hereby intended 
to be established other than for the uses and 
purposes, and under the limitations and restric- 
tions herein before expressly mentioned and 
declared; Provided, nevertheless, that the Trus- 
tees of the said corporation, and their successors, 
shall have power to draw and apply, from time 
to time, as much money, belonging to the said 
Fund, as, in the judgment of a majority of them, 
may be wanting to defray all the necessary ex- 
penses of conducting the business of the said 
corporation. 

Article X. 

It is provided and declared that it shall be Keep accounts, 
the duty of the Trustees to cause regular and 
fair accounts to be kept (in books to be provided 
"for that purpose) of the funds of the said cor- 
poration, as well as it respects the kind and 



126 Methodist Constitution and Charters. 

amount of the capital stock, and of the annual 
interest and income thereof, as of all and every 
sum or sums of money which shall from time 
to time be drawn therefrom for the objects, under 
the limitations, and for the uses and purposes 
herein before particularly mentioned and de- 
clared; and, further, it shall be the duty of the 
said Trustees and their successors, at every Gen- 
eral Conference of the ministers and preachers 
Report, as aforesaid, to prepare and lay before them a 
statement of the affairs of the said Fund for 
their inspection and examination; which said 
statement shall be signed by the President and 
countersigned by the Secretary of the said cor- 
poration, certifying that the same is fair and 
correct. 



I have perused and examined the preceding 
instrument, and am of the opinion that the ob- 
jects, articles, and conditions therein set forth 
and contained are lawful. 

Jaeed Ingeesoll, 

December 10, 1796. Attorney-General. 



We, the Justices of the Supreme Court, cer- 
tify to his Excellency the Governor that we have 
perused and examined the preceding instrument, 



Charter of the Chartered Fund. 127 

and concur with the Attorney-General in opin- 
ion that the objects, articles, and conditions 
therein set forth and contained are legal. 

Thomas M'Kean, 
Jasper Yeates, 
Edward Shipped, 
Thomas Smith. 
December, 22, 1796. 



In the name and by the authority of the Common- 
wealth of Pennsylvania, Thomas Mifflin, Governor 
of the said Commonwealth, to Matthew Irwin, Es- 
quire, Master of the Rolls, in and for the said Com- 
monwealth, sends greeting: 

Whereas, It has been duly certified to me 
by Jared Ingersoll, Esq., attorney of the said 
Commonwealth; and by Thomas M ; Kean, Esq., 
chief justice; and Edward Shippen, Jasper 
Yeates, and Thomas Smith, Esquires, justices 
of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, that 
they have respectively perused and examined 
the foregoing act or instrument for the incor- 
poration of "The Trustees of the Fund for the 
Relief and Support of the Itinerant, Superan- 
nuated, and Worn-out Ministers and Preachers 
of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in the 



1 l ; ^ Mi thodist ( 'onstitution wad < 1 ha/rter9. 

United States of America, their Wives and 
Children, Widows and Orphans," and that they 
concur in opinion that the objects, articles, and 
conditions, therein set forth and contained, are 
lawful. Now Know You, that in pursuance of 
the act of the General Assembly, in such case 
made and provided, I have transmitted the said 
act or instrument of incorporation unto you, the 
said Matthew Irwin, master of the rolls afore- 
said; hereby requiring you to enroll the same at 
the expense of the applicants, to the intent, that 
according to the objects, articles, and conditions 
therein set forth and contained, the parties may 
become and be a corporation and body politic 
in law and in fact: to have continuance by the 
name, style, and title in the said instrument pro- 
vided and declared. 

Given under my hand and the great seal of 
the State, at Philadelphia, the thir- 
teenth day of January, in the year one 
[L. S.] thousand seven hundred and ninety- 
seven, and of the Commonwealth the 
twenty-first. 

By the Governor: Thomas Mifflin. 

A. J. Dallas, Secretary. 



Charter of the Chartered Fund. 129 



First Amendment. 

An Act to amend the Charter of the Trustees of the 
Fund for the Relief and Support of the Itinerant, 
and Superannuated, and Worn-out Ministers and 
Preachers of the Methodist Episcopal Church (in 
the United States of America), their Wives and 
Children, Widows and Orphans. 

Whereas, It has been represented to this 
General Assembly, that great inconvenience has 
occurred to this corporation, by reason of the 
length of their corporate name, style, and title, 
and that errors and misnomers have thereby 
happened, and in some cases lawsuits have 
been occasioned; and praying that the said 
name, style, and title may be altered; and that 
since the date of their Charter, to wit, the year 
seventeen hundred and ninety-seven, the funds 
in their hands have so accumulated by dona- 
tions, devises, and bequests, by benevolent indi- 
viduals, as to produce an income greater in 
amount than the sum limited by the Act of 
Assembly of seventeen hundred and ninety-one; 
and that the said income is divided yearly be- 
tween twenty-two Annual Conferences of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church, and by them ap- 
propriated solely to the support and relief of 
the itinerant, superannuated, and worn-out min- 



130 Methodist Constitution and Charters. 

isters and preachers, their wives and children, 
widows and orphans, of the said Church. 

And the said corporation pray, that a law 
may pass, so amending the Charter of the said 
corporation as to alter their name, style, and 
title; and to allow the said corporation to hold 
real and personal estate, to an amount which 
will produce an income not exceeding three thou- 
sand dollars. 

And the prayer of the said petitioners appear- 
ing to this General Assembly to be reasonable; 
therefore — 

Section 1. Be it enacted by the Senate 
and House of Representatives of the Common- 
wealth of Pennsylvania, in General Assembly 
met, and it is hereby enacted by the authority 
of the same, that the name, style, and title of 
the said corporation be changed and altered, 
and that from and after the passing of this Act, 
Name changed, the name, style, and title shall be, "THE CHAR- 
TERED FUND OF THE METHODIST EPIS- 
COPAL CHURCH IX THE UNITED STATES 
OF AMERICA/' 

Provided always, nevertheless, That the change 
or alteration hereby made in the name, st}'le, 
and title of the said corporation shall in nowise 
prejudice the interests of the said corporation 



Charter of the Chartered Fund. 131 

in their title to any real or personal estate, or 
any claim or claims the said corporation may 
have on any person or persons, bodies corporate 
or politic, or the claim or claims of any person 
or persons, bodies corporate or politic, against 
the said corporation, but the same shall be and 
remain as if such change or alteration had not 
been made. 

Section 2. And be it further enacted by 
the authority aforesaid, That the Charter of the 
said corporation be so altered and amended, 
that the said corporation by their name, style, 
and title, shall be able and capable in law, to 
take, receive, and hold all and all manner of 
lands, tenements, annuities, franchises, and Hold all kinds 
hereditaments, and any sum or sums of money, ° prope y ' 
any manner and portion of goods and chattels 
to be employed and disposed of according to 
the objects, articles, and conditions of their 
Charter granted unto them on the thirteenth 
day of January, in the year of our Lord one 
thousand seven hundred and ninety-seven, or by 
the will and intention of any donor to the said 
corporation. 

[Provided always, nevertheless, That the clear 
yearly value or income of the messuages, houses, 
lands and tenements, rents, annuities, or other 



132 M> ihodxst Constitution and ( 'hark r8. 

hereditaments and real estate of the said cor- 
poration, and the interest of the money by them 
lent, shall not exceed the sum of three thousand 
dollars, any law or usage of this Common- 
wealth to the contrary notwithstanding.] * 
s John Laporte, 

Speaker of the House of Representatives. 
J. K. Burden, 

Speaker of the Senate. 

Approved the eleventh day of June, Anno 
Domini eighteen hundred and thirty-two. 

Geo. Wolf, Governor. 
[Pamphlet Laws of 1832, p. 604.] 

Second Amendment. 

An Act further to amend the Charter of "The Char- 
tered Fund of the Methodist Episcopal Church, 
in the United States of America." 

Whereas, It has been represented to this 
General Assembly, that great loss has been sus- 
tained by this corporation, by reason of the 
Trustees thereof being restricted by the fifth 
article of the original Charter, from selling, con- 
veying, and transferring the real or personal 

* This last proviso repealed and supplied. See third 
amendment, page 14. 



Charter of the Chartered Fund. 133 

estate of the said corporation, without first 
making application to the General Conference 
for their concurrence and direction, and the said 
General Conference have directed the Trustees of 
the said Chartered Fund to make application to 
the General Assembly, to have the Charter of the 
said corporation so amended as to enable the 
said Trustees to sell and convey the real estate, 
and sell and transfer the personal estate of the 
said corporation, when they shall consider it 
expedient, and the said corporation pray that a 
law may pass so amending their said Charter, 
and the prayer of the petitioners appearing to 
this General Assembly to be reasonable; there- 
fore — 

Section 1. Be it enacted by the Senate and 
House of Representatives of the Commonwealth 
of Pennsylvania, in General Assembly met, and 
it is hereby enacted by the authority of the 
same, that the whole of the fifth article in the Article V stricken 
original Charter of "The Chartered Fund of the ml 
Methodist Episcopal Church in the United 
States of America," be stricken from the said 
Charter, and that the said fifth article be no 
longer a part of the said Charter, and that in fu- 
ture the fifth article of the said Charter shall be : 

Article 5. That it shall and may be lawful 



134 Methodist Constitution and Cha/rters. 

for the said Trustees, or a majority of them, at 
any time when they shall deem it expedient, to 
May sell property, sell and convey any real estate which now is or 
hereafter may become vested in the said cor- 
poration, and to sell and transfer any personal 
estate of which the said corporation is or may 
hereafter become possessed, and that they invest 
the moneys arising from such sale or sales in 
such manner or way as they shall consider most 
beneficial for the said corporation. 

Lewis Dewart, 
Speaker of the House of Representatives. 
J. E. Burdex, 

Speaker of the Senate. 

Approved the third day of April, Anno 
Domini, one thousand eight hundred and thirty- 
seven. Jos. Eitxer, Governor. 

[Pamphlet Laws of 1837, p. 168.] 

Third Amendment. 
An Act further to amend the Charter of "The Char- 
tered Fund of the Methodist Episcopal Church, 
in the United States of America." 

Section 1. Be it enacted by the Senate and 
House of representatives of the Common- 
wealth of Pennsylvania, in General Assembly 
met, and it is hereby enacted by the authority 



Charter of the Chartered Fund. 135 

of the same, that the proviso attached to the 
second section of the Act, entitled, "An Act to 
Amend the Charter of the Trustees of the Fund 
for the Relief and Support of the Itinerant, and 
Superannuated, and Worn-out Ministers and 
Preachers of the Methodist Episcopal Church, 
in the United States of America, their Wives 
and Children, Widows and Orphans," approved 
June eleventh, one thousand eight hundred and 
thirty-two, be, and the same is hereby, repealed; 
and that hereafter the clear yearly value or in- 
come of the messuages, houses, lands and tene- May hold fo- 
ments, rents, annuities, or other hereditaments, creased va,ues - 
and real estate of the said corporation (which 
said corporation is now entitled "The Chartered 
Fund of the Methodist Episcopal Church in 
the United States of America"), and the inter- 
est of the money by them lent, shall not exceed 
the sum of ten thousand dollars. 

Section 2. That the Board of Trustees shall Fill vacancies, 
have the power of filling any vacancy or vacan- 
cies that may occur in their body, by death, 
resignation, or otherwise; subject, however, to 
the approval of the first General Conference that 
may be held after such vacancy or vacancies 
shall have occurred; and that so much of the 
provisions of the original Charter, and the sev- 



1 86 Methodist ( Constitution and ( %a tiers. 

eral supplements thereto, as is hereby altered, 
be and the same is hereby repealed. 

William F. Packer, 
Speaker of the House of Representatives. 
George Darsie, 

Speaker of the Senate. 

Approved the nineteenth day of February, 
one thousand eight hundred and forty-nine. 
Wm. F. Johnston, Governor. 
[Pamphlet Laws of 1849, p. 70.] 



EARLY CHARTERS 

OF THE 

MISSIONARY SOCIETY 

OF TriE 

METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. 



" An act to incorporate the Missionary Society of the Meth- 
odist Episcopal Church. Passed April 9, 1839. 

"The People of the State of New York, repre- 
sented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows: 

"§ 1. Robert R. Roberts, Joshua Soule, Elijah 
Hedding, James O. Andrew, Beverly Waugh, Thomas 
A. Morris, Daniel Ostrander, Nathan Bangs, Thomas 
Mason, George Lane, Francis Hall, Joseph Smith, 
Peter Badeau, D. M. Reese, M. D., George Innes, 
M. Ilouseworth, Philip Romaine, L. S. Burling, J. P. 
Aimes, John Valentine, William Gale, Abraham 
Stagg, Erastus Hyde, Henry Moore, James Harper, 
Thomas Brown, Peter Macnamara, William B. Skid- 
more, Stephen Dando, J. B. Oakley, Henry Worrall, 
George Suckley, T. Barrett, M. D., G. Coutant, J. L. 
Phelps, M. D., B. F. Howe, Israel D. Disosway, 
<:. I'. Disosway. Benjamin Disbrow, Ralph Mead, 
Jotham S. Fountain, Samuel Martin; and all persons 
who now arc or hereafter may become, associated 
with them, are hereby constituted a body corporate, 
io 137 



1 38 Mi tJwdist ( Constitution and ( f harter8. 

bj the oame of 'The Missionary Society of the Meth- 
odist Episcopal Church,' and by thai name and style 
be capable of purchasing, holding, and conveying 
such real estate as the purposes of the corporation 
shall require; but the annual income of the real 
• slate to be held by them shall not exceed the sum 
of live thousand dollars. 

"§ 2. The object of the said corporation is to dif- 
fuse more generally the blessings of education, civil- 
ization, and Christianity Throughout the United States 
and elsewhere. 

"§ 3. The management and disposition of the af- 
fairs and property of the said corporation shall be 
vested in a Board of Managers, to be elected annually 
on the third Monday in April in the city of New York. 

"§ 4. The persons named in the first section of 
this Act shall be the first Board of Managers of such 
corporation, and shall hold their offices until the next 
annual election, or until others shall be elected in 
their places. 

"§ 5. The said corporation shall possess the gen- 
eral powers, and be subject to the liabilities imposed 
in and by the third title of the eighteenth chapter of 
the first part of the Revised Statutes. 

"§ G. The Legislature may at any time alter or 
repeal this Act. 

"§ 7. This Act shall take effect immediately. 

"An act for the relief of the Missionary Society of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church. Passed April 6, 1850. 

"The People of the State of New York, repre- 
sented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows: 

"§1. The Missionary Society of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, incorporated on the 9th April, 



Early Charters. 139 

1839, shall be capable of taking, holding, or receiving 

any real estate, by virtue of any devise container! 
in" any last will and testament of any person what- 
soever, the clear annual income of which devise shall 
not exceed the sum of ten thousand dollars: Pro- 
vided, no person leaving a wife, or child, or parent, 
shall devise to such corporation more than one-fourth 
of his or her estate, after the payment of his or her 
debts; and such devise shall be valid to the extent of 
such one-fourth; and no such devise shall be valid 
in any will which shall not have been made and exe- 
cuted at least two months before the death of the 
testator. 

"§ 2. This Act shall take effect immediately. 

"An act to amend 'An act to incorporate the Missionary 
Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church.'' Passed 
June 30, 1853. 

"The People of the State of New York, repre- 
sented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows: 

"§ 1. The third section of 'An Act to incorporate 
the Missionary Society of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church,' passed April 9, 1839, is hereby amended so 
as to read as follows: 

"§ 3. The management and disposition of the af- 
fairs and property of the said corporation shall be 
vested in a Board of Managers, to be annually elected 
at a meeting of the Society to be called for that pur- 
pose, and held in the city of New York, at such time 
and on such notice as the Board of Managers for the 
time being shall previously prescribe: such Board 
shall consist of not less than thirty-two lay members, 
and of so many clerical members, not exceeding that 
number, as shall be determined upon at such annual 



140 Methodist Constitution and Charters. 

meeting, and each of whom shall be a minister In 
good and regular standing in the Methodist Episcopal 
Church. The Hoard of Managers shall have power 
to till any vacancy that may happen, until the ensu- 
ing annual election. Thfrteen members of the Board 
at any meeting thereof shall be a sufficient number 
for the transaction of business; and at any meeting 
of the Society twenty-five members of the Society 
shall be a sufficient quorum. 

"in act to consolidate the several acts relating to the Mis- 
sionary Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church 
into one act, and to amend the same. Passed April 
11, 1859. 

"The People of the State of New York, repre- 
sented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows: 
"§ 1. The Act entitled 'An Act to incorporate the 
Missionary Society of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church,' passed April ninth, eighteen hundred and 
thirty-nine, and the several Acts amendatory thereof, 
and relating to the said Society, are respectively 
hereby amended and consolidated into one Act; and 
the several provisions thereof as thus amended and 
consolidated are comprised in the following sections: 
"§ 2. All persons associated or who may become 
associated together in the Society above named, are 
constituted a body corporate, by the name and style 
of 'The Missionary Society of the Methodist Epis- 
copal Church,' and are hereby declared to have been 
such body corporate since the passage of said Act 
of April ninth, eighteen hundred and thirty-nine; and 
such corporation are and shall be capable of pur- 
chasing, holding, and conveying such real estate as 
the purposes of the said corporation shall require; 
but the annual income of the real estate held by them 



Early Charters. 141 

at any one time, within the State of New York, shall 
not exceed the sum of thirty thousand dollars. 

"§ v 3. The objects of the said corporation are char- 
itable and religious; designed to diffuse miore gener- 
ally the blessings of education and Christianity, and 
to promote and support missionary schools and Chris- 
tian missions throughout the United States and the 
continent of America, and also in foreign countries. 

"§ 4. The management and disposition of the af- 
fairs and property of the said corporation shall be 
vested in a Board of Managers, to be annually elected 
at a meeting of the Society to be called for that pur- 
pose, and held in the city of New York, at such time 
and on such notice as the Board of Managers, for the 
time being, shall previously prescribe. Such board 
shall consist of not less than thirty-two lay members, 
belonging to the Methodist Episcopal Church, and of 
so many clerical members, not exceeding that num- 
ber, as shall be determined upon at such annual meet- 
ing, and each of whom shall be a minister in good 
regular standing in the Methodist Episcopal Church. 
Such Board of Managers may fill any vacancy hap- 
pening therein, until the term shall commence of the 
Managers elected at such annual meeting; shall have 
power to direct by what officer the conveyance of 
real estate by said corporation shall be executed; and 
shall have such other power as may be necessary 
for the management and disposition of the affairs 
and property of the said corporation. 

"§ 5. Thirteen members of the said Board of Man- 
agers, at any meeting thereof, shall be sufficient num- 
ber for the transaction of business; and at any meet- 
ing of the Society twenty-five members shall be a 
sufficient quorum. The managers elected at each 
annual meeting of the Society shall be the managers 



\4'2 J/< thodist ( institution and ( 'harters. 

of such corporation for one year from the first day 
of January following, and until others, elected in 
their places, shall be competent to assume their 
duties. 

"§ 6. The said corporation shall be capable of 
taking, receiving, or holding any real estate, by virtue 
of any devise contained in any last will and testa- 
ment of any person whomsoever; subject, however, 
to the limitation expressed in the second section of 
this Act. as to the aggregate amount of such real 
estate; and the said corporation shall be also compe- 
tent to act as a trustee in respect to any devise or 
bequest pertaining to the objects of said corporation; 
and devises and bequests of real or personal property 
ruay be made directly to said corporation, or in trust, 
for any of the purposes comprehended in the general 
objects of said Society; and such trusts may continue 
for such time as may be necessary to accomplish the 
purposes for which they may be created. 

"§ 7. The said corporation shall also possess the 
general powers specified in and by the third title of 
the third article of chapter eighteen of the first part 
of the Revised Statutes of the State of New York. 

"§ 8. The Legislature may at any time alter or 
repeal this Act. 

"§ 9. This Act shall take effect immediately. 

"An act to amend the Charter of the Missionary Society of 

the Methodist Episcopal Church. Passed April 14, 

1869. 

"The People of the State of New York, repre- 
sented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows: 

"§ 1. The Act entitled 'An Act to consolidate the 
several Acts relating to the Missionary Society of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church into one Act, and to 



Early Charters. 143 

amend the same, passed April 11, 1859;' and the Act 
entitled 'An Act to incorporate the Missionary Society 
of the Methodist Episcopal Church,' passed April 
ninth, eighteen hundred and thirty-nine, and the sev- 
eral Acts amendatory thereof, and relating to the said 
Society, are respectively hereby amended and con- 
solidated into one Act; and the several provisions 
thereof as thus amended and consolidated are com- 
prised in the following sections. 

''§ 2. All persons associated or who may become 
associated together in the Society above named are 
constituted a body corporate, by the name and style 
of 'The Missionary Society of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church,' and are hereby declared to have been such 
body corporate since the passage of said Act of April 
ninth, eighteen hundred and thirty-nine; and such 
corporation are and shall be capable of purchasing, 
holding, and conveying such real estate as the pur- 
poses of the said corporation shall require; but the 
annual income of the real estate held by them at any 
one time, within the State of New York, shall not 
exceed the sum of thirty thousand dollars. 

"§ 3. The objects of the said corporation are char- 
itable and religious; designed to diffuse more gener- 
ally the blessings of education and Christianity, and 
to promote and support missionary schools and Chris- 
tian missions throughout the United States and Terri- 
tories, and also in foreign countries. 

"§ 4. The management and disposition of the af- 
fairs and property of the said corporation shall be 
vested in a Board of Managers, to be annually elected 
at a meeting of the Society to be called for that pur- 
pose, and held in the city of New York, at such time 
and on such notice as the Board of Managers, for the 
time being, shall previously lnvscribe. Such Board 



1-i-i Methodist Constitution and Charters. 

shall consist of thirty-two laymen of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, and thirty-two traveling ministers 
of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Such Board of 
Managers may fill any vacancy happening therein, 
until the term shall commence of the managers 
elected at such annual meeting; shall have power to 
direct by what officer the conveyance of real estate 
by said corporation shall be executed: aud shall have 
such other power as may be necessary for the man- 
agement and disposition of the affairs and property 
of the said corporation, in conformity with the Con- 
stitution of said Society, as it now exists, or as it 
may, in the manner therein provided, be from time to 
time amended. 

"§ 5. Thirteen members of the said Board of Man- 
agers, at any meeting thereof, shall be a sufficient 
number for the transaction of business; and at any 
meeting of the Society twenty-five members shall be 
a quorum. The managers elected at each annual 
meeting of the Society shall be the managers of such 
corporation for one year from the first day of Janu- 
ary following, and until others, elected in their places, 
shall be competent to assume their duties. The Cor- 
responding Secretaries of said Society shall be elected 
by the General Conference of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, and shall hold their office for four years, and 
until their successors are elected; and in case of a 
vacancy by resignation, death, or otherwise, the 
bishops of the said Methodist Episcopal Church shall 
elect their successors, to hold their office till the ensu- 
ing General Conference. 

"§ 6. The said corporation shall be capable of tak- 
ing, receiving, or holding any real estate, by virtue 
of any devise contained in any last will and testa- 
ment of any person whomsoever; subject, however, 



Early Charters. 145 

to the limitation expressed in the second section of 
this Act, as to the aggregate amount of such real 
estate; and also to all provisions of law now existing 
in relation to devises and bequests; and the said cor- 
poration shall be also competent to act as a trustee 
in respect to any devise or bequest pertaining to the 
objects of said corporation; and devises and bequests 
of real or personal property may be made directly to 
said corporation, or in trust, for any of the purposes 
comprehended in the general objects of said Society; 
and such trusts may continue for such time as may 
be necessary to accomplish the purposes for which 
they may be created. 

"§ 7. The said corporation shall also possess the 
general powers specified in and by the Third Title 
of Chapter Eighteen of the First Part of the Revised 
Statutes of the State of New York. 

"§ 8. This Act shall take effect immediately. 



"REVISED STATUTES OF THE STATE OF NEW 
YORK. 

"Part I, Chapter XVIII, Third Title of Art. 3, 
op the General Powers, Privileges, and Liabil- 
ities of Corporations. 

"Section 1. Every corporation, as such, has power: 

"1. To have succession, by its corporate name, 
for the period limited in its charter; and when no 
period is limited, perpetually. 

"2. To sue and be sued, complain and defend, in 
any court of law or equity. 

"3. To make and use a common seal, and alter 
the same at pleasure. 

"4. To hold, purchase, and convey such real and 



14lj Methodist Constitution and Charters. 

personal estate as the purposes of the corporation 
shall require, not exceeding the amount limited in 
the charter. 

"5. To appoint such subordinate officers and 
agents as the business of the corporation shall re- 
quire, and to allow them a suitable compensation. 

"(I. To make by-laws, not inconsistent with any 
existing law, for the management of its property, the 
regulation of its affairs, and for the transfer of its 
stock. 

"Sec. 2. The powers enumerated in the preceding 
section shall vest in every corporation that shall here- 
after be created, although they may not be specified 
in its charter or in the Act under which it shall be 
incorporated. 

"Sec. 3. In addition to the powers enumerated in 
the first section of this title, and to those expressly 
given in its charter or in the Act under which it is 
or shall be incorporated, no corporation shall possess 
or exercise any corporate powers, except such as shall 
be necessary to the exercise of the powers so enum- 
erated and given. 

"AN ACT 

" To amend Chapter One Hundred and Ninety-One 
of the Laws of Eighteen Hundred and Eighty- 
Nine, entitled 'An Act to Limit the Amount of 
Property to be held by Corporations Organized 
for Other than Business Purposes,' and Relat- 
ing to such Corporations. 
"Approved by the Governor, June ?', 1890. Passed, three- 
fifths being present. 

"The People of the State of New York, repre- 
sented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows: 
"Section 1. Chapter one hundred and ninety-one 



Early Charters. 147 

of the laws of eighteen hundred and eighty-nine, en- 
titled 'An Act to limit the amount of property to be 
held by corporations organized for other than busi- 
ness purposes,' is hereby amended so as to read as 
follows: 

"Section 1. Any religious, educational, Bible, mis- 
sionary, tract, literary, scientific, benevolent, or char- 
itable corporation, or corporation organized for the 
enforcement of laws relating to children or animals, 
or for hospital, infirmary, or other than business pur- 
poses, may take and hold, in its own right or in trust, 
for any purpose comprised in the objects of its incor- 
poration, property not exceeding in value three mil- 
lion dollars, or the yearly income derived from which 
shall not exceed two hundred and fifty thousand dol- 
lars, notwithstanding the provisions of any special or 
general Act heretofore passed, or certificate of incor- 
poration affecting such corporations. In computing 
the value of such property no increase in value aris- 
ing otherwise than from improvements made thereon 
shall be taken into account. The personal estate of 
such corporations shall be exempt from taxation, and 
the provisions of chapter four hundred and eighty- 
three of the laws of eighteen hundred and eighty-five, 
entitled 'An Act to tax gifts, legacies, and collateral 
inheritances in certain cases,' and the Acts amend- 
atory thereof, shall not apply thereto nor to any gifts 
to any such corporation by grant, bequest, or other- 
wise; provided, however, that this provision shall not 
apply to any moneyed or stock corporation deriving 
an income or profit from the capital, or otherwise, 
or to any corporation which has the right to make 
dividends or to distribute profits or assets among its 
members. 

"Sec. 2. This Ad shall not affect the right of any 



14:8 Methodist Constitution and Charters. 

such corporation to take and hold property exceeding 
in value the amount specified in section one of this 
Act, provided such right is conferred upon such cor- 
poration by special statute; nor affect any statute by 
which its real estate is exempt from taxation. 

"Sec. 3. This Act shall take effect immediately. 

"VOL. II, LAWS OF 1892. 

"The General Corporation Law provides as fol- 
lows: 

"Section 11. Grant of General Powers.— Every 
corporation as such has power, though not specified 
in the law under which it is incorporated: 

"1. To have succession for the period specified 
in its certificate of incorporation or by law, and per- 
petually when no period is specified. 

"2. To have a common seal, and alter the same 
at pleasure. 

"3. To acquire by grant, gift, purchase, devise, or 
bequest, to hold and to dispose of such property as 
the purposes of the corporation shall require, subject 
to such limitations as may be prescribed by law. 

"4. To appoint such officers and agents as its busi- 
ness shall require, and to fix their compensation; and 

"5. To make by-laws not inconsistent with any 
existing law, for the management of its property, the 
regulation of its affairs, and the transfer of its stock, 
if it has any. . . . 

"Sec. 12. Limitations of Amount of Property of a 
Non-stock Corporation.— A corporation not having 
capital stock may take and hold property not exceed- 
ing in value three million dollars, or the yearly in- 
come derived from which shall not exceed five hun- 
dred thousand dollars, notwithstanding the provisions 



Early Charters. 1^9 

of any general or special Act heretofore passed or 
certificate of incorporation affecting such corporation. 

In computing the value of such property no in- 
crease in value arising otherwise than from improve- 
ments made thereon shall be taken into account. . . . 

"Sec. 14. Acquisition of Property in other States.— 
Any domestic corporation transacting business in 
other States or foreign countries may acquire and 
dispose of such property as shall be requisite for such 
corporation in the convenient transaction of its busi- 
ness. 

"AN ACT 
"In Relation to the Exemption of the Real Peop- 
ekty of Religious, Chaeitable, and Educa- 
tional Coepoeations and Associations feom 
Taxation. 

"Approved by the Governor, April 29, 1893. Passed, three- 
fifths being present. 

"The People of the State of New York, repre- 
sented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows: 

"Section 1. The real property of a corporation or 
association organized exclusively for the moral and 
mental improvement of men and women, or for re- 
ligious, charitable, missionary, hospital, educational, 
patriotic, historical, or cemetery purposes, or for two 
or more of such purposes, and used exclusively for 
carrying out thereupon one or more of such purposes, 
shall be exempt from taxation. But no such corpo 
ration or association shall be entitled to any such 
exemption if any officer, member, or employee thereof 
shall receive or may be lawfully entitled to receive 
any pecuniary profit from the operations thereof, ex- 
cept reasonable compensation for services in effecting 



1 r>( i Methodist ( Constitution and ( 'hark rs. 

one or more of such purposes, or as proper benefi- 
ciaries of its strictly charitable purposes; or if the 
organization thereof, for any of such avowed pur- 
poses, be a guise or pretense for directly or indirectly 
making any other pecuniary profit for such corpora- 
tion or association, or for any of its members or em- 
ployees, or if it be not in good faith organized and 
conducted exclusively for one or more of such pur- 
poses. The real property of any such corporation or 
association entitled to such exemption held by it ex- 
clusively for one or more of such purposes, and from 
which no rents, profits, or income are derived, shall 
be so exempt, though not in actual use therefor, by 
reason of the absence of suitable buildings or im- 
provements thereon, if the construction of such build- 
ings or improvements is in progress, or is in good 
faith contemplated by such corporation or associ- 
ation. The real property of any such corporation not 
so used exclusively for carrying out thereupon one or 
more of such purposes, but leased or otherwise used 
for other purposes, shall not be so exempt; but if a 
portion only of any lot or building of any such corpo- 
ration or association is used exclusively for carrying 
out thereupon one or more of such purposes of any 
such corporation or association, then such lot or build- 
ing shall be so exempt only to the extent of the value 
of the portion so used, and the remaining portion of 
such lot or building to the extent of the value of 
such remaining portion shall be subject to taxation. 
Property held by an officer of a religious denomina- 
tion shall be entitled to the same exemptions, subject 
to the same conditions and exceptions as property 
held by a religious corporation. 

"Sec. 2. This Act shall take effect immediately." 



Charter of 1873. 151 

CHARTER OF 1873. 



consolidated. 



An Act to Amend the Charter of the Missionary So- 
ciety of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Passed 
April 4, 1873. 

The People of the State of New York, represented 
in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows: 

Section 1. The Act entitled "An Act to 
Amend the Charter of the Missionary Society 
of the Methodist Episcopal Church/' passed April 
fourteenth, eighteen hundred and sixty-nine ; also 
the Act entitled "An Act to Consolidate the Sev- Former charters 
eral Acts Relating to the Missionary Society of 
the Methodist Episcopal Church into one Act, 
and to amend the same/' passed April eleventh, 
eighteen hundred and fifty-nine; and the Act en- 
titled "An Act to Incorporate the Missionary 
Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church/' 
passed April ninth, eighteen hundred and thirty- 
nine, and the several Acts amendatory thereof, 
and relating to the said Society, are respectively 
hereby amended and consolidated into one Act; 
and the several provisions thereof, as thus 
amended and consolidated, are comprised in the 
following sections : 

Section 2. All persons associated, or who may 
become associated, together in the Society above 



1 52 Methodist ( Constitution and t %a/rti rs. 

named are constituted a body corporate, by the 
Corporate name, name and style of "The Missionary Society of 
the Methodist Episcopal Church," and are hereby 
declared to have been such body corporate since 
the passage of said Act of April ninth, eighteen 
hundred and thirty-nine; and such corporation 
May buy and is and shall be capable of purchasing, holding, 
sell property. an( j CO nveying 8UC h rea i estate as the purposes 
of the said corporation shall require; but the 
annual income of the estate held by it at any 
one time, within the State of New York, shall 
not exceed the sum of seventy-five thousand dol- 
lars. 
Objects. Section 3. The objects of the said corporation 
are charitable and religious; designed to diffuse 
more generally the blessings of education and 
Christianity, and to promote and support mission- 
ary schools and Christian missions throughout 
the United States and Territories, and also in for- 
eign countries. 

Section A. The management and disposition 
of the affairs and property of the said corpora- 
Board of tion shall be vested in a Board of Managers, corn- 
Managers. p 0se( i of thirty-two laymen of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church and thirty-two traveling min- 
isters of the Methodist Episcopal Church ap- 
pointed by the General Conference of said 
Church at its quadrennial sessions, and of the 



Charter of 1873. 153 

bishops of said. Church, who shall be ex officio 
members of said Board. Such Managers as were 
appointed by said General Conference at its last 
session shall be entitled to act as such from and 
after the passage of this Act, until they or others 
appointed by the ensuing General Conference 
shall assume their duties. Any such Board of 
Managers may fill any vacancy happening therein Fill vacancies. 
until the term shall commence of the Managers 
appointed by an ensuing General Conference; 
said Board of Managers shall have such power 
as may be necessary for the management and 
disposition of the affairs and property of said 
corporation, in conformity with the Constitution 
of said Society as it now exists, or as it may be 
' from time to time amended by the General Con- 
ference, and to elect the officers of the Society, 
except as herein otherwise provided; and such 
Board of Managers shall be subordinate to any 
directions or regulations made, or to be made, 
by said General Conference. 

Section 5. Thirteen members of the said Quorum. 
Board of Managers, at any meeting thereof, shall 
be a sufficient number for the transaction of 
business. The Corresponding Secretaries, the Election of 
Treasurer, and the Assistant Treasurer of said officers - 
Society shall be elected by the General Confer- 
ence of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and 
n 



154 Methodist Constitution and Charters. 

Term, shall hold their office for four years, and until 
their successors are elected; and in case of a 
vacancy by resignation, death, or otherwise, the 
bishops of the said Methodist Episcopal Church 
shall fill any vacancy in the office till the en- 
suing General Conference. And until the next 
Board may re- session of the General Conference said Board of 
move officers. Managers may appoint and remove at pleasure 
the Treasurer and the Assistant Treasurer of 
said corporation; and the latter officer may exer- 
cise his duties, as the Board may direct, in any 
State. 
Rights, powers, Section 6. The said corporation shall be ca- 
and privileges. p a ]->i e f taking, receiving, or holding any real 
estate, by virtue of any devise contained in any 
last will and testament of any person whomso- 
ever; subject, however, to the limitation expressed 
in the second section of this Act as to the aggre- 
gate amount of such real estate, and also to the 
provisions of an Act entitled "An Act Eelating 
to Wills/' passed April thirteenth, eighteen hun- 
dred and sixty; and the said corporation shall 
be also competent to act as a Trustee in respect 
to any devise or bequest pertaining to the ob- 
jects of said corporation, and devises and be- 
quests of real or personal property may be made 
directly to said corporation, or in trust, for any 
of the purposes comprehended in the general ob- 



Charter of 1873. 155 

jects of said Society; and such trusts may con- 
tinue for such time as may be necessary to ac- 
complish the purposes for which they may be 
created. 

Section 7. The said corporation shall also pos- General powers. 
sess the general powers specified in and by the 
Third Title of Chapter Eighteen of the First 
Part of the Eevised Statutes of the State of 
New York. 

Section 8. This Act shall take effect imme- 
diately. 



EARLY CONSTITUTIONS 

OF THE 

MISSIONARY SOCIETY. 

(Notes by Bishop Walden.) 

The Missionary Society having been incorporated 
in 1839, the Constitution as revised by the General 
Conference of 1840, being in an authoritative sense 
the first Constitution of the Society, is published in 
full that it may be readily compared with the present 
Constitution as revised by the General Conference of 
1900 (see pages 000-000). The changes made in the 
instrument itself and in the methods of administra- 
tion during these sixty years are marked, interesting, 
and instructive. 

The chief changes were made in 1844, 1860, 1868, 
and 1872, and mainly affected the articles relating to 
the Corresponding Secretariat, the Board of Man- 
agers, and the General Missionary Committee. These 
changes mark the transition from a local Society to a 
thoroughly Connectional Institution. By giving a 
summary of some of the articles referred to, and pub- 
lishing others as they existed at different dates, the 
evolution of the more essential parts of the Constitu- 
tion is here indicated. 

156 



Early Constitutions. 157 

The Secretariat.— At first the only unqualified au- 
thority accorded the General Conference was the ap- 
pointment of the corresponding secretaries. The 
changes made in the article relate to their number 
and rank. In 1840 the number was not specified, and 
three were elected. In 1844 the number was limited 
to one. In 1860 provision was made for one assistant 
corresponding secretary; in 1864 for two such assist- 
ants. In 1872 provision was made for three corre- 
sponding secretaries; in 1884 this number was re- 
duced two, and so remained until 1900. 

Board of Managers.— Articles 3, 5, and 6 of the 
first Constitution remained in force until the amend- 
ment to the charter enacted June 30, 1853, went into 
effect. After this date the provision of the Constitu- 
tion as to the composition of the Board of Managers 
was determined by the charter. This was amended 
June 11, 1859, April 14, 1869, and April 4, 1873 (see 
Section 4 in each enactment herewith published). 

General Missionary Committee.— This Committee 
was created in pursuance with Article 16 of the first 
Constitution, and became operative in 1844. Its rela- 
tion and functions are so important, and the changes 
in the Constitution affecting it illustrate so clearly 
the evolution of the Society, that the provision as 
made in 1844 and as revised in 1852, 1864, and 1S6S 
are published here. 

The most radical and important changes were 
made in 1872, but the article adopted then is the same 
as that in the present Constitution, except the in- 



158 Methodist Constitution and Charters. 

crease in the Contingent Fund and the last proviso 
limiting the amount of the appropriation. 

The Contingent Fund was made $10,000 in 1860. 

While minor changes were made at other dates, 
what is published will show the steps by which has 
been created one of the most potential and effective 
agencies in the entire economy of Methodism. 

"THE CONSTITUTION AS ADOPTED BY THE 
GENERAL CONFERENCE OF 1836. 

"The Constitution as amended by this Conference, 
on the recommendation of the Board of Managers, is 
as follows, viz.: 

"Article I. This association, denominated The 
Missionary Society of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, is established for the express purpose of 
enabling the several Annual Conferences more effect- 
ually to extend their missionary labors throughout the 
United States and elsewhere; and also to assist in 
the support and promotion of missionary schools and 
missions in our own and in foreign countries. 

"Article II. The payment of two dollars annually 
shall constitute a member; the payment of twenty 
dollars at one time a member for life. 

"Aeticle III. The officers of this society shall 
consist of a president, vice-president, recording secre- 
tary, treasurer, and assistant treasurer, who, together 
with thirty-two managers, shall form a Board for the 
transaction of business. They shall all be members 
of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and be annually 
elected by the society. Each Annual Conference shall 
have also the privilege of appointing one vice-presi- 
dent from its own body. 



Early Constitutions. 159 

"Article IV. There shall also be a resident corre- 
sponding secretary appointed by the General Confer- 
ence, whose salary shall be fixed and paid by the 
Board of Managers, who shall be exclusively em- 
ployed in conducting the correspondence of the soci- 
ety, and, under the direction of the Board, in promot- 
ing its general interests by traveling or otherwise. 
With the approbation of the managers, he may em- 
ploy such assistance from time to time as may be 
judged necessary for the interests of the cause, the 
compensation for which shall be fixed by the Board. 
He shall be ex-officio a member of the Board of Man- 
agers. Should his office become vacant by death, 
resignation, or otherwise, the Board shall have power 
to provide for the duties of the office until the next 
session of the New York Conference, which, with the 
concurrence of the presiding bishop, shall fill the 
vacancy until the ensuing General Conference. 

"Article V. The Board shall have authority to 
make by-laws for regulating its own proceedings, to 
appropriate money to defray incidental expenses, and 
to print books at our own press for the benefit of the 
Indian and other foreign missions, fill vacancies that 
may occur during the year, and shall present a state- 
ment of its transactions and funds to the society at 
its annual meeting; and also shall lay before the Gen- 
eral Conference a report of its transactions for the 
four preceding years, and the state of its funds. 

"Article VI. Ordained ministers of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, whether traveling or local, being 
members of this society, shall be ex-officio members 
of the Board of Managers. 

"Article VII. The annual meeting for the elec- 
tion of officers and managers shall be held on the 
third Monday in April, in the city of New York. 



160 Methodist Constitution and Charters. 

"Article VIII. At all meetings of the society and 
of the Board, the president, or in his absence the 
vice-president first on the list then present, and in 
the absence of all the vice-presidents a member ap- 
pointed by the meeting for that purpose shall pre- 
side. 

"Article IX. Twenty-five members at all meet- 
ings of the society, and thirteen at all meetings of the 
Board of Managers, shall be a quorum. 

"Article X. The minutes of each meeting shall 
be signed by the chairman. 

"Article XI. Same as in former Constitution, 
with the exception of the following words, inserted 
in the second sentence between the words "Confer- 
ence" and "society," viz., "or other Auxiliary," so as 
to read, "Each Conference or other Auxiliary soci- 
ety," etc. 

"Article XII. Any Auxiliary or branch society 
may appropriate any part or the whole of its funds 
to any one individual mission or more under the care 
of this society, which special appropriation shall be 
publicly acknowledged by the Board; but in the event 
that more funds be raised for any individual mission 
than is necessary for its support, the surplus shall 
go into the general treasury of the parent society, to 
be appropriated as the Constitution directs. 

"Article XIII. As in the former Constitution. 

"Article XIV. As in the former Constitution. 

"Article XV. As in the former Constitution. 

"Article XVI. As in the former Constitution." 

"CONSTITUTION, AS REVISED BY THE GEN- 
ERAL CONFERENCE OF 1840. 

"Art. 1. This association, denominated 'The Mis- 
sionary Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church,' 



Early Constitutions. 161 

is established for the express purpose of enabling the 
several Annual Conferences more effectually to ex- 
tend their missionary labors throughout the United 
States and elsewhere; and also to assist in the sup- 
port and promotion of missionary schools and mis- 
sions in our own and in foreign countries. 

"Art. 2. The payment of two dollars annually 
shall constitute a member; the payment of twenty 
dollars at one time a member for life. Any person 
paying one hundred and fifty dollars at one time into 
the treasury shall be a manager for life, and the con- 
tribution of five hundred dollars shall constitute the 
donor a patron for Ufe. 

"Art. 3. The officers of this Society shall consist 
of a president, vice-presidents, corresponding secre- 
taries, recording secretary, treasurer, and assistant 
treasurer, who, together with thirty-two managers, 
shall form a Board for the transaction of business. 
They shall all be members of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, and be annually elected by the Society, ex- 
cept the corresponding secretaries. Each Annual 
Conference shall have the privilege of appointing one 
vice-president from its own body. 

"Art. 4. The corresponding secretaries shall be 
appointed by the General Conference, one of whom 
shall reside in New York, and shall conduct the cor- 
respondence of the Society, under the direction of the 
Board. They shall be subject to the direction and 
control of the Board of Managers, by whom their 
salaries are to be fixed and paid. They shall be ex- 
clusively employed in conducting the correspondence 
of the Society, and, under the direction of the Board, 
in promoting its general interests, by traveling or 
otherwise. With the approbation of the managers, 
they may employ such assistance, from time to time, 



16*2 Methodist Constitution and Charters. 

as may be judged necessary for the interests of the 
cause; the compensation for which shall be fixed by 
the Board. Should the office of the one in New York 
become vacant by death, resignation, or otherwise, 
the Board shall have power to provide for the duties 
of the office until the next session of the New York 
Conference, which, with the concurrence of the pre- 
siding bishop, shall fill the vacancy until the ensuing 
General Conference. 

"Art 5. The Board shall have authority to make 
by-laws for regulating its own proceedings, to appro- 
priate money to defray incidental expenses, to pro- 
vide for the support of superannuated missionaries, 
widows, and orphans of missionaries who may not 
be provided for by the Annual Conferences; and to 
print books at our own press, for the benefit of Indian 
and other foreign missions, fill up vacancies that may 
occur during the year, and shall present a statement 
of its transactions and funds to the Society at its an- 
nual meeting, and also shall lay before the General 
Conference a report of its transactions for the four 
preceding years, and the state of its funds. 

"Art. 6. Ordained ministers of the Methodist Epis- 
copal Church, whether traveling or local, being mem- 
bers of this Society, shall be ex-offlcio members of the 
Board of Managers. 

"Art. 7. The annual meeting, for the election of 
officers and managers, shall be held on the third Mon- 
day in April, in the city of New York. 

"Art. 8. At all meetings of the Society and of the 
Board the president, or in his absence the vice-presi- 
dent first on the list then present, and in the absence 
of all the vice-presidents a member appointed by the 
meeting for that purpose, shall preside. 

*For filling the vacancies of the other secretaries, see 
Discipline, part ii, section vi, paragraphs 8 and 9. 



Early Constitutions. 163 

"Art. 9. Twenty-five members at all meetings of 
the Society, and thirteen at all meetings of the Board 
of Managers, shall be a quorum. 

"Art. 10. The minutes of each meeting shall be 
signed by the chairman. 

"Art. 11. It is recommended that within the 
bounds of each Annual Conference there be estab- 
lished a Conference Missionary Society, auxiliary to 
this institution, with branches, under such regula- 
tions as the Conferences shall respectively prescribe. 
Each Conference, or other Auxiliary Society, shall 
annually transmit to the corresponding secretary of 
this Society a copy of its annual report, embracing 
the operations of its branches, and shall also notify 
the treasurer of the amount collected in aid of the 
missionary cause; which amount shall be subject to 
the order of the treasurer of the Parent Society, as 
provided for in the thirteenth article. 

"Art. 12. Any Auxiliary or Branch Society may 
appropriate any part or the whole of its funds to any 
individual mission, or more, under the care of this 
Society, which special appropriation shall be publicly 
acknowledged by the Board; but in the event that 
more funds be raised for any individual mission than 
necessary for its support, the surplus shall go into the 
general treasury of the Parent Society, to be appro- 
priated as the Constitution directs. 

"Art. 13. The treasurer of this Society, under the 
direction of the Board of Managers, shall give infor- 
mal ion to the bishops annually, or oftener, if the 
Board judge it expedient, of the state of the funds, 
and the sums which may be drawn by them for the 
missionary purposes contemplated by this Constitu- 
tion; agreeably to which information the bishops 
shall have authority to draw upon the treasurer for 



164 Methodist Constitution and Charters. 

any sum within the amount designated, which the 
Missionary Committee of the Annual Conferences re- 
spectively shall judge necessary for the support of 
the missions and of the mission schools under their 
care; provided always that the sums so allowed for 
the support of a missionary shall not exceed the usual 
allowance of other itinerant preachers. The bishops 
shall always promptly notify the treasurer of all 
drafts made by them, and shall require regular quar- 
terly communications to be made by each of the mis- 
sionaries to the corresponding secretary of the Soci- 
ety, giving information of the state and prospects 
of the several missions in which they are employed. 
No one shall be acknowledged a missionary, or re- 
ceive support out of the funds of this Society, who 
has not some definite field assigned to him, or who 
could not be an effective laborer on a circuit, except 
as provided for in Article 5. The assistant treasurer 
shall be subject to the direction of the treasurer, and 
of the Board of Managers. 

"Art. 14. Whenever a foreign mission, or one not 
provided for by an Annual Conference, is to be estab- 
lished, or is already established, either among the 
aborigines of our country, or elsewhere, it shall be 
the duty of the bishops making such appointment im- 
mediately to notify the treasurer of the Missionary 
Society of the place, the number of missionaries to 
be employed, together with the probable amount nec- 
essary for the support of any such mission; which 
information shall be laid before the managers of the 
Society; and they shall make an appropriation ac- 
cording to their judgment, from year to year, of the 
amount called for to sustain and prosecute the mis- 
sion or missions designated; for which amount the 
missionary, or the superintendent of the mission or 



Early Constitutions. 165 

missions, shall hare authority to draw on the treas- 
urer of the Society in quarterly or half-yearly install- 
ments. 

"Art. 15. In all other cases of the appointment of 
a missionary, the name of such missionary, and the 
district in which he is to labor, together with the 
probable expenses of the mission, shall be communi- 
cated by the bishop, or the Mission Committee of each 
Annual Conference, to the treasurer of this Society, 
that a proper record of the same may be preserved. 

"Art. 16. This Constitution shall not be altered 
but by the General Conference, upon the recommen- 
dation of the Board of Managers, or by the Society, 
at an annual meeting, on the recommendation of the 
General Conference. 

"ARTICLE XIII, CONSTITUTION OF 1844. 

"The annual conferences shall be divided into as 
many mission districts as there are effective super- 
intendents, and there shall be a committee, consisting 
of one from each mission district, to be appointed by 
the bishops, and to be called the General Missionary 
Committee. It shall be the duty of this committee 
to meet annually in the city of New York, at the time 
of the holding of the anniversary of the missionary 
society, to act jointly with the board of managers, 
the corresponding secretary, and the treasurer, in 
fixing the amount which may be drawn for during 
the ensuing year, and the division of said amount be- 
tween foreign and domestic missions. Said commit- 
tee shall, in conjunction with the board of managers 
and bishop who shall preside in the New York Con- 
ference, determine what fields shall be occupied or 
continued as foreign missions, and the number of per- 



166 Methodist Constitution and Charter*. 

sons to be employed on said missions, and shall, in 
conjunction with the board, estimate the sums neces- 
sary for the support of each mission, subject to the 
approval of the presiding bishop. Said committee 
shall determine the amount for which each bishop 
shall draw for the domestic missions of those confer- 
ences over which he shall preside, and he shall not 
draw on the treasurer for more than said amount. 

"Provided nevertheless, that in the intervals be- 
tween the meetings of the General Missionary Com- 
mittees, the Board of Managers, with the concurrence 
of a majority of the bishops, may, if they shall deem 
it important, adopt a new missionary field, and also 
provide for any unforeseen emergency that may arise; 
and to meet such demands, may expend any addi- 
tional sum not exceeding five thousand dollars. 

"Should any of the members of said committee in 
the interval of the General Conference go out of office 
by death, resignation, or otherwise, the bishop pre- 
siding in the conferences where the vacancy shall 
occur shall appoint another to fill his place. 

"Said committee to be amenable to the General 
Conference, to which it shall make full reports of its 
doings. 

"Any expense incurred in the discharge of its 
duties shall be met by the treasurer of the society. 

"ARTICLE XIII, CONSTITUTION OF 1852. 

"The annual conferences shall be divided into as 
many mission districts as there are effective superin- 
tendents, and there shall be a committee, consisting 
of one from each mission district, to be appointed by 
the bishops, and to be called the General Missionary 
Committee. It shall be the duty of this committee to 



Early Constitutions. 167 

meet annually in the city of New York, between the 
1st and 15th of November, as shall be determined by 
the corresponding secretary and treasurer, to act 
jointly with the board of managers, the correspond- 
ing secretary, and the treasurer, in fixing the amount 
which may be drawn for during the ensuing year, and 
the division of said amount between foreign and do- 
mestic missions. Said committee shall, with the con- 
currence of the board of managers, and with the con- 
currence of at least two of the bishops, determine 
what fields shall be occupied or continued as foreign 
missions, and the number of persons to be employed 
on said missions, and shall, in conjunction with the 
board, estimate the sums necessary for the support 
of each mission, subject to the approval of two or 
more of the bishops. Said committee shall determine 
the amount for which each bishop may draw for the 
domestic missions of those conferences over which he 
shall preside, and he shall not draw on the treasurer 
for more than said amount. 

"Provided nevertheless, that in the intervals be- 
tween the meetings of the General Missionary Com- 
mittee, the Board of Managers, with the concurrence 
of the bishop who has charge or is to have charge of 
the work proposed, may, if they shall deem it im- 
portant, adopt a new missionary field, and also pro- 
vide for any unforeseen emergency that may arise; 
and to meet such demands may expend any additional 
sum not exceeding five thousand dollars. 

"Should any of the members of said committee 
in the interval of the General Conference go out of 
office by death, resignation, or otherwise, the bishop 
presiding in the conferences where the vacancy shall 
occur, shall appoint another to fill his place. 

"Said committee to be amenable to the General 



1 68 Methodist Constitution and Chart* re. 

Conference, to which it shall make full reports of its 
doings. 

"Any expense incurred in the discharge of its 
duties shall be met by the treasurer of the society. 

"ARTICLE XII, CONSTITUTION OF 1SG4. 

"The Annual Conferences shall be divided into as 
many mission districts as there are effective super- 
intendents; and there shall be a committee consisting 
of one from each mission district, to be appointed by 
the bishops, and to be called the General Missionary 
Committee. It shall be the duty of this committee— 

"First. To meet annually in the city of New York 
between the 1st and loth of November, as shall be 
determined by the corresponding secretary, the assist- 
ant corresponding secretary, and the treasurer. 

"Secondly. To act jointly with the Board of Man- 
agers, the corresponding secretary, assistant corre- 
sponding secretary, second assistant corresponding 
secretary, and treasurer, in fixing the amount which 
may be drawn for during the ensuing year. 

"Thirdly. To divide said amount between, 

"1. Foreign missions; 

"2. Domestic missions; 

"3. Missions in the United States and Territories 
not included in the bounds of any of the Annual Con- 
ferences. 

"4. Other missions not under our immediate care. 

"Fourthly. Said committee shall, with the concur- 
rence of the Board of Managers, and with the concur- 
rence of at least two of the bishops, determine what 
fields shall be occupied or continued as foreign mis- 
sions, and the number of persons to be employed on 
said missions, and shall, in conjunction with the 



Early Constitutions. 169 

Board, estimate the suras necessary for the support 
of each mission, subject to the approval of two or 
more of the bishops. Said committee, with the con- 
currence of the Board and bishops as aforesaid, shall 
determine the amount for which each bishop may 
draw for the domestic missions of those conferences 
over which he shall preside, and shall divide the 
amount appropriated to the missions in the United 
States and Territories not included in the Annual 
Conferences to such sections of the country as in their 
judgment the interests of the work require; and the 
bishop shall not draw on the treasurer for more than 
said amount. 

"In the intervals of the annual meetings of the 
committee the bishops shall have full power to ad- 
minister these missions. 

"The Board shall appoint a committee, who, with 
the bishop making the appointment, shall fix the 
amount for the support of each missionary in this 
third class of missions. 

"Fifthly. Said committee, by and with the concur- 
rence of the Board and bishops, as aforesaid, shall 
also determine the amount to be appropriated for the 
support of missions not under our immediate care, 
and the mode of disbursement thereof. 

"Provided nevertheless, that in the intervals be- 
tween the meetings of the General Missionary Com- 
mittee, the Board of Managers, with the concurrence 
of the bishop who has charge, or is to have charge 
of the work proposed, may, if they shall deem it im- 
portant, adopt a new missionary field, and also pro- 
vide for any unforeseen emergency that may arise, 
and to meet such demands may expend any additional 
sum not exceeding twenty-five thousand dollars. 

"Should any of the members of said committee 



1 7" Methodist Constitution and Charters. 

in the interval of the General Conference go out of 
office by death, resignation, or otherwise, the bishop 
presiding in the conferences where the vacancy shall 
occur shall appoinl another to iill his place. 

"Said committee to be amenable to the General 
Conference, to which it shall make full reports of its 
doings. 

"Any expense incurred in the discharge of its 
duties shall be met by the treasurer of the society. 

"ARTICLE XI, CONSTITUTION OF 18G8. 
"General Missionary Committee. 

"The Annual Conferences shall be divided into as 
many mission districts as there are effective super- 
intendents, and there shall be one member from each 
mission district to be appointed by the bishops, and 
a like number of members to be appointed annually 
by the Board of Managers, who, with the correspond- 
ing secretaries and treasurer of the Society, shall con- 
stitute a committee, to be called the General Mission- 
ary Committee. 

"The General Missionary Committee shall meet 
annually in the city of New York, at such time, in the 
month of November, as shall be determined by the 
corresponding secretaries and treasurer. 

"The bishops shall also be duly notified to attend 
the meetings of the General Missionary Committee, 
to preside over its deliberations, and to give their ad- 
vice in respect to any matters before the Committee. 

"Said General Missionary Committee, with the 
concurrence of the Board of Managers, and with the 
concurrence of a majority of the bishops present, 
shall determine what fields shall be occupied as for- 
eign missions, the number of persons to be employed 



Early Constitutions. 171 

on said missions, and the amount necessary for the 
support of each mission. Said General Missionary 
Committee, with the concurrence of the Board and 
bishops, as aforesaid, shall also determine the amount 
for which each bishop may draw for the domestic 
missions of the conferences over which he shall pre- 
side, and the bishop shall not draw on the treasurer 
for more than said amount. Nevertheless, in the inter- 
vals between the meetings of the General Missionary 
Committee, the Board of Managers, with the concur- 
rence of the bishop who has charge, or is to have 
charge of the work proposed, may, if they shall deem 
it important, adopt a new foreign mission field; the 
Board may also provide for any unforeseen emer- 
gency that may arise in any of our missions. To 
meet such demands, the Board may expend any ad- 
ditional amount not exceeding, twenty-five thousand 
dollars. 

"Should any member of the General Missionary 
Committee appointed by the bishops go out of office 
by death, resignation, or otherwise, the bishops shall 
appoint another to fill the vacancy. 

"The General Missionary Committee shall be 
amenable to the General Conference, to which it shall 
make full report of its doings. 

"Any expenses incurred in the discharge of its 
duties shall be met by the treasurer of the Society." 



CONSTITUTION OF THE MISSIONARY SO- 
CIETY OF THE METHODIST EPIS- 
COPAL CHURCH.— 1900. 



As Revised by the General Conference of 1900. 



Article I. 

NAME AND OBJECTS OF THE SOCIETY. 

The name of this association shall be "The 
Missionary Society^ of the Methodist Epis- 
copal Church." Its objects are charitable and 
religious; designed to diffuse more generally the 
blessings of education and Christianity, and to 
promote and support missionary schools and 
Christian missions throughout the United States 
and Territories, and also in foreign countries, 
under such rules and regulations as the General 
Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church 
may from time to time prescribe. 

Article II. 

members, honorary managers, and patrons. 

The payment of twenty dollars at one time 

shall constitute a member for life. Any person 

172 



Constitution of 1900. 173 

paying one hundred and fifty dollars at one time 
into the treasur}- shall be an honorary manager 
for life; and the contribution of five hundred 
dollars shall constitute the donor an honorary 
patron for life; any such honorary manager or 
patron shall be entitled to a seat, and the right 
of speaking, but not of voting, in the Board of 
Managers. 

Article III. 

BOARD OF MANAGERS. 

The management and disposition of the affairs 
and property of the said corporation shall be 
vested in a Board of Managers, consisting of the 
bishops of said Church, who shall be ex officio 
members of said Board, and thirty-two laymen, 
and thirty-two traveling ministers of the Meth- 
odist Episcopal Church, elected by the General 
Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, 
according to the requirements of the existing 
Charter of the Society; vacancies in the Board 
shall be filled as the Charter provides; and the 
absence without excuse of any Manager from six 
consecutive meetings of the Board shall be 
equivalent to a resignation. The Board shall 
also have authority to make by-laws not incon- 
sistent with this Constitution or the Charter; to 
print books for Indian and foreign missions, and 



174 Methodist Constitution and Charters, 

missions in which a foreign language is used; 
to elect a President, Vice-Presidents, and a Ee- 
cording Secretary; to fill vacancies that may oc- 
cur among the officers elective by its own body; 
and shall present a statement of its transactions 
and funds to the Church in its Annual Report, 
and also shall lay before the General Conference 
a report of its transactions for the four preced- 
ing years, and the state of its funds. 

Article IV. 

CORRESPONDING SECRETARIES. 

There shall be one Corresponding Secretary, 
who shall be executive officer of the Society, 
and a First Assistant Corresponding Secretary, 
both of whom shall be elected by the General 
Conference. The Board of Managers shall have 
authority to elect such additional Secretaries as 
may be necessary. 

They shall be subject to the direction and 
control of the Board of Managers, by whom their 
salaries shall be fixed, and their salaries shall be 
paid out of the treasury. They shall be ex- 
clusively employed in conducting the correspond- 
ence of the Society, in furnishing the Church 
with missionary intelligence, and, under the di- 
rection of the Board, in supervising the mission- 



Constitution of 1900. 175 

ary work of the Church, and by correspondence, 
traveling, and otherwise, in promoting the gen- 
eral interests of the Society. 

Should the office of either of the Secretaries 
become vacant by death, resignation, or other- 
wise, the Board shall have power to provide for 
the duties of the office until the bishops, or a 
majority of them, shall fill the vacancy. 

Article V. 

ELECTION OF OFFICERS. 

At the regular meeting of the Board next 
succeeding the final adjournment of the G-eneral 
Conference, the officers to be elected by the 
Board shall be chosen and hold their office for 
the term of one year, or until their successors 
shall be elected; or, if a vacancy occur during the 
year by death, resignation, or otherwise, it may 
be filled at any regular meeting of the Board. 

Article VI. 

PRESIDING OFFICER. 

At all meetings of the Board, the President, 
or, in his absence, one of the Vice-Presidents, 
and in the absence of the President and of all 
the Vice-Presidents, a member appointed by the 
meeting for that purpose, shall preside. 



1 70 JI< thodist ( 'onstitution and < 'harters. 
Article VII. 

QUORUM. 

Thirteen Managers at any meeting cf the 
Board shall be a quorum. 

Article VIII. 

MINUTES. 

The minutes of each meeting shall be signed 
by the Chairman of the meeting at which the 
same are read and approved. 

Article IX. 
auxiliary societies. 
It is recommended that within the bounds 
of each Annual Conference there be established 
a Conference Missionary Society, auxiliary to this 
institution, under such regulations as the Con- 
ferences shall respectively prescribe. 

Article X. 
special donations. 
Whenever any charge, including the Sunday- 
school, shall raise its full apportionment for Mis- 
sions, then any attendant of said charge shall 
have the privilege of making special donations 



Constitution of 1900. Ill 

to any mission or work in such mission under the 
supervision of the Missionary Society of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church, and such special do- 
nations shall be received by the Missionary So- 
ciety for the specified purpose, and be credited 
to said charge. 

Article XI. 

GENERAL MISSIONARY COMMITTEE. 

The General Conference shall divide the An- 
nual Conferences into fourteen Mission Districts, 
from each of which there shall be one repre- 
sentative, to be appointed for the term of four 
years by the General Conference at each of its 
sessions, on the nomination of the delegates of 
the Annual Conferences within the Mission Dis- 
tricts respectively, and fourteen representatives, 
to be appointed annually by the Board of Man- 
agers from its own members, who, with the Cor- 
responding and Eecording Secretaries and the 
Treasurers of the Society and the Board of 
Bishops, shall constitute a committee, to be called 
the General Missionary Committee; 'provided that 
the bishops shall fill any vacancy that may occur 
among the members appointed by the General 
Conference, so that each Mission District may 
be fully represented at each annual meeting. 

The General Missionary Committee shall meet 



178 Methodist Constitution and Charters. 

annually at such place in the United States as 
the Committee may, from year to year, deter- 
mine, and at such time in the month of November 
as shall be determined by the Secretaries and 
Treasurers, of which due notice shall be given 
to each member; and the bishops shall preside 
over the deliberations of the Committee; but the 
annual meeting of said Committee, which for the 
year 1888 shall be held in the city of New York, 
shall not be held in the same city more frequently 
than once in four years. 

Said General Missionary Committee shall de- 
termine what fields shall be occupied as foreign 
missions, the number of persons to be employed 
on said missions, and the amount necessary for 
the support of each mission; and it shall also de- 
termine the amount for which each bishop may 
draw for the domestic missions of the Confer- 
ences over which he shall preside, and the bishop 
shall not draw on the Treasurers for more than 
said amount. Nevertheless, in the intervals be- 
tween the meetings of the General Missionary 
Committee, the Board of Managers may provide 
for any unforeseen emergency that may arise in 
any of our missions, and, to meet such demands, 
may spend any additional amount not exceeding 
fifty thousand dollars; provided, the General Com- 
mittee shall not appropriate more for a given 



Constitution of 1900. 179 

year than the total income of the Society for 
the year immediately preceding. 

The General Missionary Committee shall be 
amenable to the General Conference, to which it 
shall make a full report of its doings. 

Any expenses incurred in the discharge of its 
duties shall be paid from the treasury of the 
Society. 

Article XII. 

SUPPORT OF SUPERANNUATED AND OTHER MIS- 
SIONARIES. 

The Board may provide for the support of 
superannuated missionaries, widows and orphans 
of missionaries, who may not be provided for by 
their Annual Conferences respectively, it being 
understood that they shall not receive more than 
is usually allowed to other superannuated min- 
isters, their widows, and orphans. 

The amount allowed for the support of a mis- 
sionary shall not exceed the usual allowance of 
other itinerant preachers ; and in the case of 
domestic missions the bishop or President of the 
Conference shall draw for the same in quarterly 
installments, and shall always promptly notify 
the Treasurer of all drafts made by him. The 
administration of appropriations to foreign mis- 
sions shall be under the direction of the Board 
of Managers. 



180 Methodist Constitution and Charters. 

No one shall be acknowledged as a mission- 
ary, or receive support as such from the funds 
of the Society, who has not some definite field 
assigned to him in the service of the Society, 
or who could not be an effective laborer on a 
circuit, except as above provided. 

Article XIII. 

AMENDMENTS. 

This Constitution shall be subject to altera- 
tion or amendment only by the General Con- 
ference of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 



CHARTER 

OF THE 

Woman's Foreign Missionary Society 

OF THE 

METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. 



ACT OF INCORPORATION. 



State of New York, ) 

City and County of New York, ) 

We, the undersigned, Caroline R. Wright, 
Anna A. Harris, Sarah K. Cornell, and Harriet B. 
Skidmore, of the City of New York, and Susan A. 
Sayre, of the City of Brooklyn, being all citi- 
zens of the United States of America, and citizens 
of the State of New York, do hereby, pursuant 
to, and in conformity with the Act of the Legis- 
lature of the State of New York passed on April 
12, 1848, entitled, "An Act for the Incorporation 
of Benevolent, Charitable, and Missionary So- 
cieties," and the several Acts of the said Legisla- 
181 



182 Methodist Constitution and Charters. 

hire amendatory thereof, associate ourselves to- 
gether and form a body politic and corporate, 
under the name and title of "The Woman's For- 
eign Missionary Society of the Methodist Epis- 
copal Church/' which we certify is the name or 
title by which said Society shall be known in law. 
And we do hereby further certify that the par- 
ticular business and object of said Society is to 
engage and unite the efforts of Christian women 
in sending female missionaries to women in for- 
eign mission fields of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, and in supporting them and native Chris- 
tian teachers and Bible-readers in those fields. 

That the number of managers to manage the 
business and affairs of said Society shall be seven- 
teen, and that the names of such managers of 
said Society, for the first year of its existence, 
are: Lucy A. Alderman, Sarah L. Keen, Ellen T. 
Cowen, Hannah M. W. Hill, Mary C. Nind, Eliza- 
beth K. Stanley, Harriet M. Shattuck, Isabel 
Hart, Caroline E. Wright, Harriet B. Skidmore, 
Rachel L. Goodier, Annie R. Gracey, Harriet D. 
Fisher, Sarah K. Cornell, Anna A. Harris, Or- 
delia M. Hillman, and Susan A. Sayre. 

That the place of business or principal office 
of said Society shall be in the City and County of 
New York, in the State of New York. 



Act of Incorporation. 183 

Witness our hand and seal this 20th day of 
December, A. D. 1884. 

Caroline E. Weight, [Seal] 

Anna A. Harris, " 

Harriet B. Skidmore, " 

Susan A. Sayre, " 

Sarah K. Cornell, " 

State of New York, | 

City and County of New York, j 

On the 20th day of December, 1884, before 
me personally came and appeared Caroline E. 
Wright, Anna A. Harris, Harriet B. Skidmore, 
and Sarah K. Cornell, to me known, and to me 
personally known to be the individuals described 
in and who executed the foregoing certificate, 
and they severally duly acknowledged to me that 
they executed the same. 

[Xotary's Seal.] 

Axdrew Lemon, 
Notary Public (58) New York County. 

State of New York, County of Kings, 1 
City of Brooklyn, j 

On the 22d of December, A. D. 1881 before 
me came Susan A. Sayre, to me known, and known 
to me to be one of the individuals described in 



184 Methodist ConsUimUon and Charters. 

and who executed the foregoing certificate, and 
duly acknowledged to me that she executed the 
same. 

[Notary's Seal.] 

F. G. Mintram, 

Notary Public for King's County. 

State of New York. j 
County of Kings, j ss ' 

I, Eodney Thursby, Clerk of the County of 
Kings and Clerk of the Supreme Court of the 
State of New York, in and for said county (said 
court being a Court of Records) Do Hereby 
Certify, that F. G-. Mintram, whose name is sub- 
scribed to the Certificate of Proof, or acknowl- 
edgment of the annexed instrument and thereon 
written, was at the time of taking such proof or 
acknowledgment, a Notary Public of the State 
of New York, in and for said County of Kings, 
dwelling in said County, commissioned and sworn, 
and duly authorized to take the same. And, 
further, that I am well acquainted with the hand- 
writing of such Notary, and verily believe the 
signature to the said Certificate is genuine, and 
that said instrument is executed and acknowl- 
edged according to the laws of the State of New 
York. 



A ct of Incorpora tion . 185 

In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set 
my hand and affixed the seal of the said County 
and Court, this 24th of December, 1884. 

[Seal] Rodney Thursby, Clerk. 

[Endorsed.] 



THE WOMAN'S FOREIGN MISSIONARY SOCIETY OP 
THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. 

CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION, DECEMBER 

27, 1884. 

I, the undersigned, one of the Justices of the 
Supreme Court of the State of New York, for 
the First Judicial District, do hereby approve 
the within certificate, and do consent that the 
same be filed pursuant to the provisions of an 
Act of the Legislature of the State of New York, 
entitled, "An Act for the Incorporation of Be- 
nevolent, Charitable, Scientific, and Missionary 
Societies," passed April 12, 1848, and the sev- 
eral Acts extending and amending said Act. 
Dated New York, December 26, 1884. 

Abm. E. Lawrence, J. 8. C. 

State of New York, j 

City and County of New York, J 

I, James A. Flack, Clerk of the said City and 
County, and Clerk of the Supreme Court of said 
State for said County, do certify that I have 



186 Methodist Constitution and Charters. 

compared the preceding with the original Cer- 
tificate of Incorporation of the Woman's Foreign 
Missionary Society of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, on file in my office, and that the same 
is a correct transcript therefrom, and of the whole 
of such original. Endorsed, filed, and recorded, 
December 27, 1884, 1 hour, 25 minutes. 

In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto sub- 
scribed my name, and affixed my official seal, this 
12th day of November, 1888. 

[Seal] James A. Flack, Clerk. 



CONSTITUTION 

OF THE 

Woman's Foreign Missionary Society 

OF THE 

3IETH0DIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. 



Article I. 

NAME. 

This organization shall be called "The 
Woman's Foreign Missionary Society oe the 
Methodist Episcopal Church/' 

Article II. 
purpose. 
The purpose of this Society is to engage and 
unite the efforts of Christian women in sending 
missionaries to the women in foreign mission 
fields of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and 
in supporting them and native Christian teach- 
ers and Bible-readers in those fields and all forms 
of work carried on by the Society. 
187 



188 Methodist Constitution and Charters. 



Article III. 

MEMBERSHIP. 

The payment of one dollar annually shall 
constitute membership, and twenty dollars life- 
membership. Any person paying one hundred 
dollars shall become a Manager for life, and the 
contribution of three hundred dollars shall con- 
stitute the donor a Patron for life. 

Article IV. 

. ORGANIZATION. 

The organization of this Society shall con- 
sist of a General Executive Committee, Co-ordi- 
nate Branches, District Associations, Auxiliary 
Societies, to be constituted and limited as laid 
down in subsequent articles. 

Article V. 

GENERAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. 

Section 1. "The management and general ad- 
ministration of the affairs of the Society shall 
be vested in a General Executive Committee con- 
sisting of a President, Recording Secretary, Gen- 
eral Treasurer, the Corresponding Secretary, and 
two delegates from each Branch, the Literature 
Committee, and the Superintendent of German 



Constitution. 189 

Work. The President, Eeeording Secretary, Gen- 
Treasurer, and Superintendent of German Work 
shall be elected annually by the General Execu- 
tive Committee. The two delegates and reserves 
shall be elected at the Branch Annual Meetings." 
Said Committee shall meet in Boston, the third 
Wednesday in April, 1870, and annually, or 
oftener, thereafter, at such time and place as 
the General Executive Committee shall annually 
determine. 

Section 2. The duties of the General Execu- 
tive Committee shall be: 

First. To take into consideration the inter- 
ests and demands of the entire work of the So- 
ciety as presented in the report of the Branch 
Corresponding Secretaries, and in the estimates 
of the needs of mission fields; to ascertain the 
financial condition of the Society; to appropriate 
its money in accordance with the purposes and 
method therein indicated; to devise means for 
carrying forward the work of the Society; fix- 
ing the amounts to be raised; employing new 
missionaries, designating their field of labor, ex- 
amining the reports of those already employed, 
and arranging with the several Branches the work 
to be undertaken by each. 

Second. To transact any other business that 
the interests of the Society may demand, pro- 



190 Methodist Constitution and Charters. 

rided all the plans and directions of the Com- 
mittee shall be in harmony with the provisions 
of the Constitution. 

Article VI. 

PERMANENT COMMITTEES OF WOMAN'S FOREIGN 
MISSIONARY SOCIETY 

REFERENCE COMMITTEE. 

1. The Committee of Reference shall be com- 
posed of the Branch Corresponding Secretaries. 

2. It shall meet immediately after the ad- 
journment of the General Executive Committee, 
and organze by the election of a Chairman and 
Secretary. 

3. All cases of emergency that would come 
before the General Executive Committee, arising 
in the interim of its sessions, shall be submitted 
to this Committee, and decided by a majority 
vote. 

4. The Chairman shall send each resolution 
that is submitted to the Committee to each mem- 
ber, and when all have returned their votes, the 
Recording Secretary shall declare the result, and 
record both resolutions and votes. 

5. The Committee shall present a full report 
of its action during the year to the General Ex- 
ecutive Committee for approval and permanent 
record. 



Const it ution. 191 

CONSTITUTIONAL PUBLICATION COMMITTEE. 

1. This Committee shall be composed of the 
Branch Corresponding Secretaries. 

2. It shall meet and organize immediately 
after the adjournment of the General Executive 
Committee, by the election of a Chairman and 
Secretary. 

3. This Committee shall take charge of the 
missionary periodicals of the Society and arrange 
for the publication of an Annual Report of the 
work of the Society. This Committee shall re- 
port annually to the General Executive Com- 
mittee. 

4. The publisher shall give the Chairman an 
itemized report for the receipts and expenditures 
of the periodicals, properly audited, by the first 
of October. If she finds it necessary to deviate 
from the published instructions of the General 
Executive Committee, she shall lay the matter 
before this Committee, and be subject to its 
direction. 

5. A Committee of Three shall be appointed 
annually by the Constitutional Publication Com- 
mittee, to whom shall be intrusted the invest- 
ment and control of the funds of these publica- 
tions. 

6. The publisher shall commence and close 
her financial year with October 1st. 



192 Methodist Constitution and Charters. 

7. If the office of editor or publisher becomes 
vacant during this year, this Committee shall 
have the power to fill the vacancy. 

LITERATURE COMMITTEE. 

There shall be a Literature Committee of 
Three, whose duty it shall be to provide all the 
literature of the Society except the periodicals 
and the General Executive Committee's Eeport. 

Article VII. 

CO-ORDINATE BRANCHES. 

Section 1. Co-ordinate Branches of this So- 
ciety, on their acceptance of this relationship 
under the provisions of the Constitution, may 
be organized in accordance with the following 
general plan for districting the territory of the 
Church : 

Name. Headquarters. 

New England Branch Boston, Mass. 

New England States. 

New York Branch New York, N. Y. 

New York, New Jersey. 
Philadelphia Branch Philadelphia, Pa. 

Pennsylvania and Delaware. 

Baltimore Branch Baltimore, Md. 

Maryland, District of Columbia, Eastern Virginia, and 
Florida. 



Constitution. 193 

Name. Headquarters. 

Cincinati Branch Cincinnati, O. 

Ohio. West Virginia, Kentucky, and Tennessee. 

Northwestern Branch Chicago, 111. 

Illinois, Indiana. Michigan. Wisconsin. 

Des Moines Branch Des Moines, la. 

Iowa, Missouri. Arkansas, and Louisiana. 

Minneapolis Branch Minneapolis, Minn. 

Minnesota. North and South Dakota. 

Topeka Branch Topeka, Kan. 

Kansas, Nebraska, Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, Texas, New 
Mexico, and Oklahoma. 

Pacific Branch Los Angeles, CaL 

California, Nevada, Arizona, and Hawaii. 

Columbia River Branch Portland, Ore. 

Montana, Idaho, Washington, and Oregon. 

This plan, however, may be changed by an 
affirmative vote of three-fourths of the members 
of the General Executive Committee present at 
any annual meeting of the same. 

Section 2. The officers of each Branch So- 
ciety shall consist of a President, one or more 
Vice-Presidents, a Eecording Secretary, a Cor- 
responding Secretary, a Treasurer, an Auditor, 
and such other officers as shall be necessary for 
the efficient work of the Branch. These, with 



1 ( J4 Methodist Constitution and Charters. 

the exception of Auditor, shall constitute an 
Executive Committee for the administration of 
the affairs of the Branch, nine of whom shall 
be a quorum for the transaction of business. 
These officers shall be elected at the annual meet- 
ing of the Branch, and shall continue in office 
until others are chosen in their stead. 

Section 3. The Executive Committee shall 
have supervision of the work assigned to the 
Branch by the General Executive Committee, 
provide for all the needs, and receive reports 
from all forms of work carried on by the So- 
ciety, who, by the plan of the General Executive 
Committee, are to be supported by the Branch. 

Section 4. No Branch shall project new work, 
or undertake the support of new missionaries, 
except by the direction or with the approval of 
the General Executive Committee. 

Section 5. Each Branch may make such by- 
laws as may be deemed necessary to its efficiency, 
not inconsistent with this Constitution. 

Article VIII. 

DISTRICT ASSOCIATIONS. 

District Associations shall be formed wher- 
ever practicable; said Associations to have super- 
vision of all Auxiliaries within their limits. 



Constitution. 195 



Article IX. 



AUXILIARY SOCIETIES. 

Any number of women who shall contribute 
annually may form a Society auxiliary to that 
Branch of the Woman's Foreign Missionary So- 
ciety of the Methodist Episcopal Church, within 
whose prescribed territorial limits they may re- 
side, by appointing a President, one or more Vice- 
Presidents or Managers, a Eecording Secretary, 
Corresponding Secretary, and Treasurer, who to- 
gether shall constitute a local Executive Com- 
mittee. 

Article X. 

RELATING TO THE MISSIONARY AUTHORITIES OF 
THE CHURCH. 

Section 1. This Society shall work in har- 
mony with and under the supervision of the au- 
thorities of the Missionary Society of the Meth- 
odist Episcopal Church. The appointment, re- 
call, and remuneration of missionaries, and the 
designation of their fields of labor, shall be sub- 
ject to the approval of the Board of Managers 
of the Missionary Society of the Methodist Epis- 
copal Church, and annual appropriations to mis- 
sion fields shall be submitted for revision and 
approval to the General Missionary Committee 
of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 



196 Methodist Constitution and Charters. 

Section 2. All missionaries sent out by this 
Society shall labor under the direction of the par- 
ticular Conference or Missions of the Church in 
which they may be severally employed. They 
shall be annually appointed by the President of 
the Conference or Mission, and shall be subject 
to the same rules of removal that govern the 
other missionaries. 

Section 3. All the work of the Woman's So- 
ciety in foreign lands shall be under the direc- 
tion of the Conference or Missions, and their 
Committees, in exactly the same manner as the 
work of the Missionary Society of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, the Superintendent or Presid- 
ing Elder having the same relation to the work 
and the person in charge that he would have 
were it in charge of any other member or the 
Conference or Mission. 

Section 4. The funds of the Society shall not 
be raised by collections or subscriptions taken 
during any of our regular Church services, nor 
in any Sunday-schools, but shall be raised by 
such methods as the Constitution of the Society 
shall provide, none of which shall interfere with 
the contributions of our people and Sunday- 
schools for the treasury of the Missionary So- 
ciety of the Methodist Episcopal Church; and the 
amount so collected shall be reported by the pas- 



Constitution. 197 

tor to the Annual Conference, and be entered 
in a column among the benevolent collections in 
the Annual and General Minutes. 

Section 5. Section 4 of this paragraph (fl 362) 
shall not be so interpreted as to prevent the 
women from taking collections in meetings con- 
vened in the interests of their Societies ; nor from 
securing memberships and life-memberships in 
audiences where their work is represented; nor 
from holding festivals, or arranging lectures in 
the interest of their work. 

Article XI. 

CHANGE OF CONSTITUTION. 

This Constitution may be changed at any 
annual meeting of the General Executive Com- 
mittee, by a three-fourths vote of those present 
and voting, notice of the proposed change hav- 
ing been given at the previous annual meeting; 
but Article X shall not be changed except with 
the concurrence of the General Conference of 
the Methodist Episcopal Church. 



198 Methodist < Constitution and < f hark rs. 
PBOPOSED CHANGES IN CONSTITUTION. 



Notice of the following changes in Constitution 
were given at the General Executive Committee held 
in Philadelphia, 1901: 



Notice is hereby given that the following 
change is asked in Article III of the Constitu- 
tion: In place of the words, "The payment of 
one dollar annually shall constitute membership," 
insert the words, "The payment of ten cents a 
month shall constitute membership." When this 
is adopted, a by-law shall be framed, providing 
that twenty cents of this amount may be used as 
contingent funds. 

Mrs. L. P. Hauser, 
Mks. I. W. Joyce, 
Mrs. L. E. McKixstry. 

Mrs. Keen presented the following proposed 
Constitutional changes : 

Articles I and II under Constitutional Pub- 
lication Committee to remain the same, but Ar- 
ticle III modified to read: 

Article III. All cases of emergency concern- 
ing publications arising in the interim of the 
sessions of the General Executive Committee 
shall be submitted to the Constitutional Publica- 



Proposed Changes in Constitution. 199 

tion Committee, and the case shall be decided 
by the majority vote. 

Article IV. As Article III. This Committee 
shall take charge of the missionary periodicals 
of the Society, and arrange for the publication 
of an Annual Report of the work of the Society, 
and shall have supervision of all business con- 
cerning the publications. 

This Committee shall report annually to the 
General Executive Committee. 

Article V. As Article IV. Same as printed 
to last line, where add, "She shall report semi- 
annually to the Constitutional Publication Com- 
mittee." 

Article VI. Same as Article V. 

Article VII. Same as Article VI. 

Article VIII. If the office of editor, pub- 
lisher, or member of Literature Committee be- 
comes vacant during the year, this Committee 
shall have power to fill the vacancy. Add at the 
end of Literature Committee, "and shall report 
semi-annually to the Constitutional Publication 
Committee." 

Mrs. O'Neal gave notice of change of Con- 
stitution in Article V, to insert, after Literature 
Committee, "Superintendent of Little Light 
Bearers." 



200 Methodist Constitution and Charters, 



FORMS FOR WILL AND DEVISE. 



Special attention is called to the following 
form of bequest and devise required by the in- 
corporation of the Woman's Foreign Missionary 
Society : 

FORM OF BEQUEST. 

I hereby give and bequeath to the "Woman's 
Foreign Missionary Society of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church/' incorporated under the laws 

of the State of New York dollars 

to be paid to the Treasurer of said Society, whose 
receipt shall be sufficient acquittance to my 
executors therefor. 

FORM OF DEVISE OF REAL ESTATE. 

I hereby give and devise to the "Woman's 
Foreign Missionary Society of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church/' (describe land, etc., intended 
to be given to the Society) and to their successors 
and assigns forever. 

Note. — Prompt notice of all bequests and de- 
vises should be given to the Corresponding Sec- 
retary of the Branch within which the donor re- 
sides. 



Forms for Will and Devise. 201 

Mrs. H. B. Skidmore, 230 West 59th Street, 
New York, is the Treasurer of the Woman's For- 
eign Missionary Society, with power to sign re- 
lease to executors, through whom the Society may 
receive bequests, and to perform such other acts 
as are required by the Act of Incorporation, and 
which can not be legally executed by Branch 
Treasurers. 



The following resolution was adopted at the 
General Executive Committee at Springfield, 
Mass., and ordered published in the Annual Be- 
port: 

Resolved, That the Treasurer of the Woman's 
Foreign Missionary Society of the Methodist Epis- 
copal Church, a corporation duly organized under 
the laws of the State of New York, be author- 
ized to accept and receive all gifts and legacies 
to the Woman's Foreign Missionary Society of 
the Methodist Episcopal Church, or to any 
Branch thereof, and to give all suitable receipts, 
releases, and acquittances therefor, under the cor- 
porate seal, or otherwise; and also, by the direc- 
tion of a majority of the members of the Befer- 
ence Committee given either at a meeting of said 
Committee, or separately by the individuals com- 
prising the same, to execute under the corporate 
seal, acknowledge, and deliver conveyances or re- 



202 Methodist Constitution and Charters. 

leases of any land or property owned, held, or 
claimed by the said Society, or any other instru- 
ment necessary or useful for the promotion of 
the purposes of said Society. 

Lucy A. Alderman, Sarah E. Crandon, 
Harriet B. Skidmore, Mary S. Huston, 
Sarah L. Keen, Charlotte S. Winchell, 

Eliza P. Stevens, Matilda Watson, 
Ellen T. Cowen, Elizabeth M. Crow. 



CHARTER 

OP THE 

Womafs Home Missionary Society 

OF THE 

Methodist Episcopal Church. 



ACT OF INCORPORATION. 



The undersigned, a majority of whom are citi- 
zens of the State of Ohio, desiring to become 
incorporated under the laws of Ohio, in such 
cases made and provided, do hereby subscribe 
and acknowledge the following Articles of In- 
corporation : 

First. The name of the corporation shall be 
"The Woman's Home Missionary Society of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church." 

Second. The said corporation shall be located 
at Cincinnati, Hamilton County, Ohio. 

Third. The said corporation is not for profit, 
but is wholly benevolent and charitable. 
203 



204 Methodist Constitution and Charters. 

Fourth. The purpose and objects of the cor- 
poration shall be to enlist and organize Christian 
women to labor in behalf of needy and destitute 
women and children in all parts of our country, 
without distinction of race, and to co-operate 
with the other Societies and agencies of The 
Methodist Episcopal Church in educational and 
missionary work; to employ women to work in 
destitute localities; to instruct the ignorant and 
unfortunate in the. practice of industry and 
economy; and in the principles of sanitary law 
and morality, and to establish schools and evan- 
gelistic agencies throughout the United States 
and Territories. 

Thus done and certified at Cincinnati, Ohio, 
this 20th day of November, A. D. 1884. 

Eliza G. Davis, [Seal] 

Elizabeth Eust, " 

E. J. Fowler Willing, " 

M. E. Ampt, " 

Louisa Hemesath, " 

The State of Ohio, ) 
Hamilton County, j 

Be it remembered that on the 20th day of 
November, 1884, before me the subscriber, a 
Notary Public in and for the County aforesaid, 
personally appeared Eliza G. Davis, Elizabeth 



Act of Incorporation. 205 

Rust, E. J. Fowler Willing, M. E. Ampt, and 
Louisa Hemesath, known to me to be the per- 
sons whose names are subscribed to the foregoing 
Articles of Incorporation, and severally acknowl- 
edged that they respectively signed and sealed 
the same as their voluntary act and deed for the 
uses and purposes therein mentioned. 

In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto 
subscribed my name and affixed my Notarial Seal, 
the day and year last aforesaid. 

[Seal] Wm. J. T. Wilson, 

Notary Public, Hamilton County, 0. 

The State of Ohio, 1 
Hamilton County. } 

I, Daniel J. Dalton, Clerk of the Court of 
Common Pleas, a Court of Eecord within and for 
the County and State aforesaid, do hereby certify 
that it appears of record in this office that Wm. 
J. T. Wilson, whose name is subscribed to the 
annexed instrument, was at the time of taking- 
such proof, or acknowledgment, a Notary Public 
in and for said County, duly commissioned and 
qualified, and duly authorized to administer oaths, 
to take acknowledgments of deeds, etc. 

And further, that 1 am well acquainted with 
the handwriting of said Wm. J. T. Wilson, and 
verily believe that the signature to the said cer- 



206 Methodist Constitution and Charters. 

tificate, or proof of acknowledgment, is genuine. 
I further certify that said instrument is exe- 
cuted and acknowledged according to the laws 
of this State. 

In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set 
my hand, and affixed the Seal of said Court, at 
Cincinnati, this 21st day of November, A. D. 
1884. 

r ~ Daniel J. Dalton, Clerk, 

- 1 By Eichaed C. Eohner, Deputy. 

[Certificate under Section 906, Eevised Statutes 
of the United States.] 

United States of Ameeica, State of Ohio. | 
Office of the Secretary of State. j 

I, Lewis C. Laylin, Secretary of State of the 
State of Ohio, and being the officer who, under 
the Constitution and Laws of said State, is duly 
constituted the keeper of the records of articles 
of incorporation of all companies incorporated 
under the laws thereof, and the records of all 
papers relating to the creation of said incor- 
porated companies, and empowered to authen- 
ticate exemplifications of the same, do hereby 
certify that the annexed instrument is an exem- 
plified copy, carefully compared by me with the 
original record now in my official custody as Sec- 



Act of Incorporation. 207 

retary of State, and found to be true and cor- 
rect, of the Articles of Incorporation of "The 
Woman's Home Missionary Society of the Meth- 
odist Episcopal Church," filed in this office on 
the 22d day of November, A. D. 1884, and 
recorded in Volume 31, Page 242, of the 
Eecords of Incorporations; that said exemplifica- 
tion is in due form and made by me as the proper 
officer, and is entitled to have full faith and 
credit given it in every court and office within 
the United States. 

In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto at- 
tached my official signature and the Great Seal 
of the State oi Ohio, at Columbus, this 1st day 
of March, A. D. 1902. 

-j Lewis C. Laylin, 

L J Secretary of State. 

(Signed) 



CONSTITUTION 

OF THE 

Woman's Home Missionary Society 

OF THE 

Methodist Episcopal Church. 



ADOPTED BY THE GENERAL CONFERENCE OF 1900, 

WITH VERBAL CHANGES, AUTHORIZED BY 

THE BOARD OF MANAGERS IN NEW 

YORK CITY, NOVEMBER, 1901. 



Article I. 

NAME. 

This organization shall be known as the 
"Woman's Home Missionary Society of the Meth- 
odist Episcopal Church." 

Article II. 

OBJECTS. 

The aim of this Society shall be to enlist and 
organize the efforts of Christian women in be- 
208 



Constitution. 209 

half of the needy and destitute in all sections 
of our country, and to co-operate with the other 
Societies and agencies of the Church in educa- 
tional, missionary, and deaconess work. 

Article III. 

ORGANIZATION. 

Section 1. This Society shall be incorporated 
under the laws of the State of Ohio. The head- 
quarters and principal office of the Society shall 
be in the city of Cincinnati. The officers of the 
Society shall be a President, five Vice-Presidents, 
a Corresponding Secretary, a Eecording Secre- 
tary, a Treasurer, and twelve Managers (twenty- 
one in all), who together shall constitute the 
Board of Trustees. There shall also be seven 
Associate Managers, who, with the Secretaries of 
Bureaus, shall be entitled to sit with the Board 
of Trustees and participate in its deliberations. 

Section 2. Vacancies in the Board of Trus- 
tees occurring ad interim shall be filled by the 
Board. 

Section 3. The regular meetings of the Board 
of Trustees shall be held in November, February, 
May, and September. Special meetings may be 
held at the call of the President and Recording 
Secretary, and eleven shall constitute a quorum. 



210 Methodist Constitution and Charters. 

Section 4. The duties of the Board of Trus- 
tees shall be : 

(1) To execute all orders of the Board of 
Managers. 

(2) To determine all matters referred to it 
by the Board of Managers. 

(3) To administer all the affairs of the So- 
ciety between the annual sessions of the Board 
of Managers. 

Section 5. The Annual Meeting of the Board 
of Managers shall be held in the city of Cincin- 
nati, unless otherwise provided. The Board of 
Managers shall consist of the Board of Trustees 
and such of the following persons as shall be in 
attendance at the Annual Meeting, viz. : The As- 
sociate Managers, the Secretaries of Bureaus, the 
General Organizers, the Chairman of Standing 
Committees appointed or confirmed by the So- 
ciety at its Annual Meeting, the Editor and Pub- 
lisher of Woman's Home Missions, the Editor of 
Children's Home Missions, the Editor of the An- 
nual Report, and the Corresponding Secretary 
of and one delegate from each Conference So- 
ciety. 

Section 6. The work of the Annual Meeting 
shall be : 

(1) To elect the officers of the Society and 
the Associate Managers as indicated in Section 1. 



Constitution. 211 

(2) To take into consideration the demands 
of the entire work of the Society, to receive the 
reports of the Corresponding Secretary and 
Treasurer, of Secretaries of Bureaus, of Confer- 
ence Secretaries, and Standing Committees, to 
determine the fields of labor, to estimate the 
needs of the various fields, and to make appro- 
priations for the ensuing year. 

(3) To transact any other business that the 
interests of the Society may demand; provided 
all its plans and enactments be in harmony with 
the Constitution. 

Section 7. The duties of the President, Vice- 
Presidents, and Recording Secretary shall be such 
as usually devolve upon such officers. 

Section 8. The duty of the Corresponding 
Secretary shall be to make herself acquainted 
with the needs and opportunities of the mission- 
fields, to correspond with the Bureau and Con- 
ference Secretaries, and to secure from them 
such details of their work as will be necessary 
to make quarterly reports to the Board of Trus- 
tees, and annual reports to the Board of Man- 
agers concerning the condition and needs of the 
mission-fields. 

Section 9. The Treasurer shall keep an ac- 
count of the receipts and disbursements of the 
Society, and make a report of the same at the 



212 Methodist Constitution and Charters. 

Annual Meeting of the Board of Managers, and 
at each regular meeting of the Board of Trus- 
tees. She shall pay the appropriations made by 
the Board of Managers, and such bills as the 
Board of Trustees may approve. The accounts 
shall be audited by a committee elected by bal- 
lot at the Annual Meeting of the Board of Man- 
agers. 

Article IV. 

CONFERENCE ORGANIZATION. 

Section 1. A Conference Society shall consist 
of all the Auxiliary Societies in a given Con- 
ference, together with a Conference Executive 
Board. It shall take the name of the Confer- 
ence in which it is located. 

Section 2. The officers of the Conference So- 
ciety shall be a President, one or more Vice- 
Presidents, a Corresponding Secretary (who may 
also be Treasurer), a Recording Secretary, and a 
Treasurer. These, together with the officers of 
the districts, shall constitute the Executive Board 
of the Conference Society for the administration 
of the affairs of the Society, and five shall con- 
stitute a quorum. These officers shall be elected 
at the Annual Meeting of the Conference So- 
ciety, and hold office till others are chosen. 



Constitution. 213 

Section 3. The duties of the Executive Board 
of the Conference Society shall be: To plan for 
the establishment and growth of the Society 
within the Conference bounds; to provide for an 
Annual Meeting and arrange Anniversary exer- 
cises; to transact any other business that the 
interest of the Society may demand, provided 
its action be in harmony with this Constitution. 

Section 4. (1) The duties of the President 
and Eecording Secretary shall be such as usually 
appertain to their respective officers, and to co- 
operate with the Corresponding Secretary and 
other officers in organizing and conducting the 
work. 

(2) The duties of the Corresponding Secre- 
tary shall be to attend the session of the Annual 
Conference; to create interest in the work of 
the Society; to organize Auxiliary Societies in 
the various charges in the Conference; to con- 
duct the correspondence of the Society; to for- 
ward quarterly to the General Corresponding 
Secretary a statement of the work of the Con- 
ference Society (as per blank provided); and to 
present an annual report to the Board of Man- 
agers at its Annual Meeting. 

(3) The duty of the Treasurer shall be to 
receive and to forward quarterly to the General 
Treasurer the funds of the Society. 



214 Methodist Constitution and Charters. 

(4) Special Work. Individuals, Auxiliaries, or 
Conference Societies may, subject to the approval 
of the Conference Board and of the Board of 
Trustees, raise special funds for the purchase of 
property for the building or care of Homes, for 
the support of teachers, deaconesses, or pupils 
in the schools or Homes of the Society. 

Article V. 

AUXILIARY SOCIETIES. 

Any number of women who shall organize 
under the Constitution and By-laws for Auxil- 
iaries and pay their annual dues, thereby become 
a Society auxiliary to the Conference Society, 
and are entitled to one delegate for every twenty 
members to the Annual Meeting of the Confer- 
ence Society, provided that each Auxiliary shall 
have one delegate. 

Article VI. 

MEMBERSHIP. 

The payment of one dollar annually shall 
constitute membership in the Society, and the 
payment of twenty dollars life membership. Any 
person paying one hundred dollars shall become 
an Honorary Manager for life, and the contri- 
bution of three hundred dollars shall constitute 
the donor an Honorary Patron for life. 



Constitution. 215 

Aeticle VII. 

RELATION TO OTHER BRANCHES OF CHURCH WORK. 

Section 1. This Society shall engage in edu- 
cational, missionary, and deaconess labor, ex- 
clusively in our own land, and shall work in har- 
mony with the eonnectional Societies of the 
Church. 

The missionaries supported by the Woman's 
Home Missionary Society shall labor under the 
direction of the authorities of the Missionary So- 
ciety, and if in a mission shall be subject to the 
same rules and regulations that govern the other 
missionaries in that particular mission. 

Section 2. The funds of the Woman's Home 
Missionary Society shall not be raised by collec- 
tion, nor by subscriptions taking during any regu- 
lar Church service, nor in Sunday-schools, but 
shall be raised by securing members, life mem- 
bers, honorary members, managers, and patrons, 
by collections taken in audiences convened in the 
interests of the Society, and by other methods 
which will not interfere with the collections and 
contributions for the Treasury of the Missionary 
Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church; and 
the amounts so collected shall be reported to the 
Annual Conference through the preachers in 
charge, in order that ihey may be entered among 



21H Methodist Constitution and Charters. 

the benevolent collections, and published in the 
Annual and General Minutes. 

Section 3. The Annual Meeting of the Board 
of Managers of the Woman's Home Missionary 
Society, which determines its work for the en- 
suing year, shall be so arranged that its fields of 
labor, its general plans of work, and its appro- 
priations may be submitted to the General Mis- 
sionary Committee of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church for approval at its Annual Meeting in 
November. 

Article VIII. 

This Constitution, except Article VII, may be 
amended by the Board of Managers at its Annual 
Meeting by a two-thirds vote of the members 
present and voting, three months' notice of the 
proposed change having been sent to each or- 
ganization, and published in Woman's Home Mis- 
sions. 

Amendments to Article VII may be proposed 
as above, but to become effective must be ap- 
proved by the General Conference. 



CHARTER 



BOARD OF EDUCATION 



METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. 



As enacted by the Legislature of the State 
of New York, April 14, 1869, and amended by 
an Act of the said Legislature passed February 
17, 1885. 

For the action of the General Conference 
authorizing the Board to secure such an amend- 
ment to its Charter see Journal of the General 
Conference of 1884, pages 251, 353. 

For the full text of the Act of Amendment 
see Chapter 19 of the Laws of the State of New 
York, enacted in the year 1885. 
15 217 



2 1 8 Mt ihodist ( 1 onstitution and < 'barters. 

i 'llARTER. 

Ail Act to Establish and Incorporate The Board of 
Education of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 
Passed April 14, 1869. 

The People of the State of New York, represented 
in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows: 

Section 1. Edmund S. Janes, Calvin Kingsley, 
John W. Lindsay, John McClintock, William L. 
Harris, Thomas Bowman, John Elliott, Oliver 
Hoyt, Charles C. North, Harvey B. Lane, James 
Harlan, Isaac Rich, and their successors in office 
as hereinafter provided for, are hereby constituted 
a body corporate by the name and style of The 
Corporate name. Board of Education of the Methodist Epis- 
copal Church, and such corporation is and shall 
be capable of purchasing, holding, and conveying 
such real estate as the purposes of the said cor- 
poration shall require; but the annual income of 
the real estate held by it at any one time within 
the State of New York shall not exceed the sum 
of thirty thousand dollars. 
Objects. Section 2. The object of the said corporation 
shall be to diffuse more generally the blessings 
of education and Christianity throughout the 
United States and elsewhere, under the direction 
of the General Conference of the Methodist Epis- 
copal Church. 



Charter. 219 

Section 3. The government of the said cor- 
poration, and the management of its property, 
business, and affairs, are hereby vested in a Board Management, 
which consist of twelve Trustees, of whom six 
shall be ministers, two of these bishops, and six 
laymen, all of the Methodist Episcopal Church, 
of which number five shall be a quorum, and 
competent to act at any regular or adjourned 
meeting thereof; and the said Trustees, as such, 
shall constitute the said corporation. 

Section 1. The persons first herein named 
shall be and act as the first Board of Trustees Trustees, 
of the said corporation, classified as follows, 
namely: From the first day of May, 1868, for four 
years, Calvin Kingsley, William L. Harris, Harvey 
B. Lane, Isaac Kich; for eight years, Edmund S. 
Janes, John McClintock, Charles C. North, James 
Harlan; for twelve years, John W. Lindsay, 
Thomas Bowman, John Elliott, Oliver Hoyt ; and 
the General Conference of the Methodist Epis- 
copal Church at each regular session shall elect 
four Trustees to serve for twelve years, to fill 
the places vacated according to the above classi- 
fication; Provided, however, that all vacancies oc- 
curring more than six months before the session 
of the General Conference shall be filled by the 
bishops of said Church, the persons so appointed 
to hold office only up to the time of the General 



220 Methodist Constitution and Charters. 

"Conference, when their places shall be held as 
vacant, and shall be filled by said General Con- 
ference; Provided, also, that should any one of 
the Trustees of said corporation cease to be a 
member or minister of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, his office and membership as said Trustee 
shall at the same time cease. 
Powers. Section 5. The Board of Trustees herein pro- 
vided for shall have such power as may be neces- 
sary for the management of the affairs and prop- 
erty of said corporation not inconsistent with 
this Charter or the rules and regulations of said 
General Conference, and shall make quadrennial 
reports to that body; and it shall be the duty of 
the Board to receive and securely invest the prin- 
cipal of the Centenary Educational Fund of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church, and to appro- 
priate the interest only, from time to time, to 
the following purposes, to wit: 
Purposes. To aid young men preparing for the foreign 
missionary work of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church; to aid young men preparing for the 
ministry of the Methodist Episcopal Church; 

To the aid of the Biblical or theological 
schools now in existence, and of such others as 
may, with the approval of the General Confer- 
ence of the Methodist Episcopal Church, here- 
after be established; to the aid of the universities, 



Charter. 221 

colleges, or academies existing under the pat- 
ronage of said Church, or which may hereafter 
be established; 

Provided, that no appropriation shall be made Can not build, 
by the Board at any time for building purposes, 
whether for Biblical schools or for universities, 
colleges, or academies; and provided, further, 
that no university, college, or academy not now 
in existence shall be aided by the Board unless 
the Board shall first have been consulted and shall 
have approved of the establishment and orgniza- 
tion of such institution. 

All future contributions of money or property 
made to the Fund shall be held in trust by the 
Board for the aid of needy and worthy young 
persons seeking an education, or for such specific 
educational purposes as the donors shall direct. 

It shall also be the duty of said Board of 
Education to receive, separately invest, and aug- 
ment the Sunday-school Children's Fund, com- 
menced during the centenary year, and to appro- 
priate only the interest and income thereof, and 
of all contributions thereto received prior to the 
first day of January, one thousand eight hundred 
and eighty-five, to assist meritorious Sunday- 
school scholars in obtaining a more advanced edu- 
cation; provided, however, that the said Board 
of Education may appropriate immediately, in aid 



222 Methodist Constitution and Charters. 

of students, such a proportion of the principal 
of all gifts and contributions to said Sunday- 
school Children's Fund, which may be received 
after said first day of January in the year one 
thousand eight hundred and eighty-five, as will 
enable it to provide suitably for the aid of all 
properly-recommended students; and if any sur- 
plus remain in any year after appropriating so 
much of the principal of such gifts and contri- 
butions as may be requisite for the purpose afore- 
said, such surplus shall be added to the perma- 
nent Sunday-school Children's Fund, accumu- 
lated and invested by said Board of Education 
prior to the said first clay of January, one thou- 
sand eight hundred and eighty-live. 

Each Annual Conference of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, in behalf of properly-recom- 
mended students from within its bounds, shall be 
entitled to share equitably in the income of the 
permanent Sunday-school Children's Fund afore- 
said, and in the appropriation of gifts and con- 
tributions to the Sunday-school Children's Fund 
received after the first day of January, one thou- 
sand eight hundred and eighty-five; provided, no 
Conference shall share in the income or distribu- 
tion of said Fund which shall not take annual 
collections in behalf of this Fund in the Sunday- 
schools within the bounds of said Conference. 



Charter. 223 

The Board shall also serve as a general agency 
of the Church in behalf of ministerial and general Ministerial 
education. It shall recognize as auxiliaries all 
educational societies now existing within the 
Church, and which may hereafter be formed, on 
condition that such societies send an annual re- 
port of their statistics to the Board. Any An- 
nual Conference may form an Educational So- 
ciety, auxiliary to the Board of Education, with 
the understanding that all collections or contri- 
butions for educational purposes made by order 
of said Conference shall be appropriated at its 
discretion. All contributions to permanent funds 
made by order of an Annual Conference may be 
held and administered by the Conference Aux- 
iliary, if it be incorporated, and, if not, shall be 
forwarded to said Board of Education, to be held 
in trust for the purposes specified by the donors. 

The Board shall seek to promote the cause 
of education throughout the Church by collect- Statistics, 
ing and publishing statistics, by furnishing plans 
for educational buildings, and by giving counsel 
with regard to the location and organization of Aid. 
new institutions, and shall also have authority to 
constitute a general agency for communication 
between teachers desiring employment and those 
needing their services. 

Section 6. The said Trustees at the first meet- 



22-4 Mi thodist < Constitution and ( '/mrters. 

ing of the said Board, and annually thereafter, 
Organize Board, shall organize said Board by the election from 
their number of a President, Secretary, and 
Treasurer; and shall have power to adopt and 
enforce a Constitution, and such By-laws, Kules, 
and Regulations, not inconsistent with the Con- 
stitution or laws of this State, or of the United 
States, as may be deemed advisable for the gov- 
ernment of the business and affairs of said cor- 
poration, and for the regulation of the action of 
the said Board, its officers and agents, in the 
discharge of its and their duties, in fully exe- 
cuting and carrying into effect the objects, in- 
tents, and purposes of this act; but the acts of 
the said Trustee, as such, shall be subject at all 
times and subordinate to the directions and in- 
structions of said General Conference relative 
thereto. 
May receive and Section 7. The said corporation shall be 
o gran s. ca p a | 3 i e f taking, receiving, and holding any real 
or personal property by virtue of any devise or 
bequest contained in any last will or testament 
of any person whomsoever, subject, however, to 
the limitation expressed in the first section of 
this Act, and subject also to the restrictions upon 
devises and bequests contained in an Act entitled 
"An Act Relating to Wills/' passed April thir- 
teenth, one thousand eight hundred and sixty; 



Charter. 225 

and the said corporation shall be also competent 
to act as a Trustee in respect to any devise or May act as 
bequest pertaining to the object of said corpora- 
tion, and devises and bequests of real or personal 
property may be made directly to said corpora- 
tion or in trust for any of the purposes compre- 
hended in the general objects of said society, 
and such trusts may continue for such time as 
may be necessary to accomplish the purposes for 
which they may be created. 

Section 8. The said corporation shall also pos- 
sess the general powers, and be subject to the 
liabilities, specified in and by the Third Title of 
Chapter Eighteen of the First Part of the Re- 
vised Statutes of the State of New York. 

Section 9. This Act shall take effect imme- 
diately. 



CONSTITUTION OF THE BOAKD OF 
EDUCATION. 



Article I. 

OBJECT AND DESIGN. 

The object of this Board is, to promote 
theological and general education in the Meth- 
odist Episcopal Church under the conditions pre- 
scribed by the Charter and by the General Con- 
ference of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 

Article II. 

TRUSTEES. 

The Board shall consist of twelve Trustees, 
chosen as provided in the Charter, section 4, and 
with the powers and duties prescribed in the 
Charter, sections 5, 6, 7, and 8. 

Article III. 

officers. 

The officers of this Board shall consist of a 

President, Recording Secretary, and Treasurer, to 

226 



Constitution. 227 

be elected at the annual meeting. Besides these 
officers, the Board may appoint such other offi- 
cers or agents, paid or unpaid, as may from time 
to time be necessary in the judgment of the 
Board to carry out its objects. The duties of all 
the officers shall be prescribed in the By-laws. 

All elections shall be by ballot, unless the bal- 
lot be dispensed with by a vote of two-thirds 
of the members present and voting. 

Akticle IV. 

QUORUM. 

Five members of the Board shall constitute 
a quorum for the transaction of business at all 
meetings of the Board. 

Article V. 

FINANCE COMMITTEE. 

There shall be annually appointed three mem- 
bers of the Board who shall constitute the Stand- 
ing Committee on Finance, to whose care and 
management shall be intrusted the funds of the 
corporation, the fixing and changing the official 
bonds of the Treasurer, and the proper invest- 
ment and appropriation of the moneys and reve- 
nues of the corporation, under the direction of 
the Board of Trustees; and no investments or 



228 Methodist Constitution and Charters. 

securities shall be* changed by the Treasurer with- 
out the consent of a majority of this Committee 
first obtained by resolution adopted at a regular 
meeting thereof; and minutes of all the proceed- 
ings of the Finance Committee shall be kept and 
submitted to the stated meetings of the Board of 
Trustees for approval. 

Article VI. 

AUXILIARY SOCIETIES. 

Section 1. Any Annual Conference or Asso- 
ciate Conferences may form an Education Society 
auxialiary to the Board of Education with the un- 
derstanding that all collections or contributions 
for educational purposes, made to such Education 
Society, shall be appropriated at its own dis- 
cretion. All contributions to permanent funds 
made by order of an Annual Conference may be 
held and administered by the Conference Auxil- 
iary if it be incorporated, and if not, shall be 
forwarded to this Board of Education to be held 
and administered for the purposes specified by 
the donors. 

Section 2. All Auxiliary Societies are required 
to send annually a report of their doings to this 
Board. 



Constitution. 229 

Akticle VII. 

SUNDAY-SCHOOL FUND. 

Section 1. It shall be a special interest and 
duty of this Board to augment the Sunday-school 
Children's Fund commenced during the cente- 
nary year, and to appropriate its proceeds accord- 
ing to the directions of the Charter and of the 
General Conference. 

Section 2. ~No Conference shall share in the 
proceeds of money contributed hereafter to this 
fund which shall not direct that annual collec- 
tions be taken up in its behalf in the Sunday- 
schools within the bounds of said Conference, 
according to the recommendation of the General 
Conference fixing on the second Sunday in the 
month of June as the ChildrenVday ; said col- 
lection to be taken on that day, if possible, and, 
if not, on such other day as may be found prac- 
ticable. 

Article VIII. 

OF CHANGES IN THE CONSTITUTION. 

The Board of Trustees may, at any stated 
meeting, or at a special meeting called for the 
purpose, make amendments to this Constitution 
not inconsistent with the Charter, provided that 
such amendment or amendments shall have been 



230 Methodist Constitution and Cha/rters. 

proposed at a previous meeting, and shall be 
passed by an affirmative vote of two-thirds of 
the Board. 

University Senate. 

Section 1. There shall be a University Senate 
of the Methodist Episcopal Church quadrennially 
appointed by the bishops under the authority of 
the General Conference It shall be composed 
of persons actively engaged in the work of edu- 
cation, one from each General Conference Dis- 
trict and one at large. It is not required that 
the Conference relation of a ministerial member 
be held in the General Conference District which 
he represents, provided his residence and edu- 
cational work are within such District. If, in 
consequence of the retirement of a member from 
educational w r ork, or from any other cause, a 
vacancy occur in the body during the quadren- 
nium, it shall be the duty of the bishops at their 
next semi-annual meeting to fill said vacancy. 

Section 2. The Senate shall determine and at 
least quadrennially revise the minimum equiva- 
lents of academic work to be required for pro- 
motion to the Baccalaureate degrees in the edu- 
cational institutions of our Church. The cur- 
ricula thus determined shall provide for the his- 
torical and literary study of the Bible in the 
vernacular. 



Constitution. 231 

Section 3. At the written request of the Presi- 
dent and Corresponding Secretary of the Board 
of Education, or at the written request of any 
three of its own members, the Senate shall in- 
vestigate the scholastic requirements and methods 
of any designated institution claiming to be under 
the patronage of the Methodist Episcopal Church, 
and shall report to the Board of Education its 
decision as to whether the requirements and 
methods of said institution are such as to justify 
its official recognition by the authorities of the 
Church. Such decision shall thereafter govern 
the action of the Board of Education. 

Section 4. The Senate shall at least quadren- 
nially report to the Board of Education its re- 
quirements and decisions, and on the basis of 
these the Board of Education shall in its official 
lists and in its administration classify the educa- 
tional institutions of the Church, whatever their 
legal or self-chosen name may be. 



CHARTER OF THE SUNDAY-SCHOOL 
UNION. 



An Act to Amend the Charter of the Sunday-school 
Union of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and the 
Acts Amendatory thereof. Passed April 11, 1874. 



The People of the Stale of New York, represented 
in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows: 
Section 1. The Act entitled an "Act to In- 
corporate the Sunday-school Union of the Meth- 
odist Episcopal Church," passed February four, 
eighteen hundred and fifty-two, and any Act 
amendatory thereof, or relating to said Society, 
are hereby respectively amended so as to read 
as follows: 

Section 2. The several persons now composing 
the said Society, and all persons who may be- 
come associated with them, and their successors, 
are hereby constituted a body corporate and 
politic, by the name of the "Sunday-school Union 
of the Methodist Episcopal Church," and by that 
232 



Charter. 283 

name they and their successors shall and may 
have perpetual succession, and shall, in law, be 
capable of suing and being sued in any court 
whatever, and may have and use a common seal, 
and may alter the same at pleasure; and such 
corporation is and shall be capable of purchasing, 
holding, and conveying such real and personal 
ostate as the purposes of the said corporation 
shall require, not exceeding in amount the sum 
of five hundred thousand dollars; but the annual 
income of the real estate held by it at any one 
time within the State of Xew York shall not 
exceed the sum of seventy-five thousand dollars. 

Section 3. The objects of the said corporation 
are charitable and religious; designed to advance 
the interests and promote the cause of Sabbath- 
schools in connection with the Methodist Epis- 
copal Church in the United States and elsewhere. 

Section 4. The management and disposition 
of the affairs and property of the said corpora- 
tion shall be vested in a Board of Managers, com- 
posed of thirty-two laymen of the Methodist Epis- 
copal Church, and thirty-two traveling min- 
isters of the Methodist Episcopal Church, ap- 
pointed by the General Conference of said 
Church, at its quadrennial sessions, and of 
the bishops of said Church, who shall be ex 
officio members of said Board. Such Managers 

16 



234 Methodist Constitution and Charters. 

as were appointed by said General Conference 
ai its lasl session shall be entitled to act as such, 
from and after the passage of this Act, until they 
or others appointed by the ensuing General Con- 
ference shall assume their duties. Any such 
Board of Managers may fill any vacancy happen- 
ing therein until the term shall commence of the 
Managers appointed by an ensuing General Con- 
ference. Said Board of Managers shall have such 
power as may be necessary for the management 
and disposition of the affairs and property of the 
said corporation, in conformity with the Consti- 
tution of said Society, as it now exists, or as it 
may be from time to time amended by the Gen- 
eral Conference, and to elect the officers of the 
Society, except as herein otherwise provided; and 
such Board of Managers shall be subordinate to 
any directions or regulations made, or to be made, 
by said General Conference. 

Section 5. Thirteen members of the said 
Board of Managers, at any meeting thereof, shall 
be a sufficient number for the transaction of 
business. The Corresponding Secretaries and the 
Treasurer of said Society shall be elected by the 
General Conference of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, and shall hold their offices for four years, 
or until their successors are elected; and in case 



Charter. 235 

of a vacancy by resignation, death, or otherwise, 
the bishops of the said Methodist Episcopal 
Church shall fill any vacancy in the office till the 
ensuing General Conference. And, until other- 
wise provided by the General Conference, said 
Board of Managers may appoint and remove at 
pleasure the Treasurer of said corporation. 

Section 6. The said corporation shall be ca- 
pable of taking, receiving, or holding any real 
or personal estate, by virtue of any devise con- 
tained in any last will and testament of any per- 
son whomsoever; subject, however, to the limita- 
tion expressed in the second section of this Act 
as to the aggregate amount of such real estate, 
and also to the provisions of an Act entitled "An 
Act Eelating to Wills/ 5 passed April thirteenth, 
eighteen hundred and sixty ; and the said corpora- 
tion shall be also competent to act as a Trustee 
in respect to any devise or bequest pertaining 
to the objects of said corporation, and devises and 
bequests of real or personal property may be 
made directly to said corporation, or in trust, 
for any of the purposes comprehended in the 
general objects of said Society, and such trusts 
may continue for such time as may be necessary 
to accomplish the purposes for which they may 
be created. 



236 Methodist Constitution and Charters. 

Section 7. The said corporation shall also pos- 
sess the general powers specified in and by the 
Third Title of Chapter Eighteen of the First Part 
of the Eevised Statutes of the State of New York. 

Section 8. This Act shall take effect imme- 
diately. 



CONSTITUTION OF THE SUNDAY- 
SCHOOL UNION. 



(Adopted by the General Conference at Cincinnati, 
May 27, 1880.) 

Article I. 

NAME. 

The title of this Association shall be the Sun- 
day-school Union of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church. 

Article II. 

OBJECT. 

The object of this Society shall be to pro- 
mote the cause of Sunday-schools in connection 
with the Methodist Episcopal Church in the 
United States and elsewhere. 

Article III. 
membership. 
The payment of ten dollars at one time to 
this Society Bhal] constitute an Honorary Mem- 
ber for life; and the payment of fifty dollars at 
one time an Honorary Director for life. 
237 



238 Methodist ( institution <md ( 1 harter8. 

Article IV. 

The funds of the Society shall be expended 
at the discretion of the Board of Managers in 
defraying the current expenses of the Union and 
in forwarding the object contemplated by the 
second article of the Constitution. 

In all cases of application for aid, if relief be 
deemed necessary, it shall be granted in Sunday- 
school publications of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church only, unless the circumstances seem to de- 
mand the appropriation of money. In case of 
more calls on the Board for aid than they can 
meet, they shall appropriate to the relief of the 
most necessitous cases first, without respect to 
location. 

Article V. 

PRESIDENT. 

The senior bishop of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church shall be President of the Society. The 
remaining bishops shall be its Vice-Presidents, 
ranking in order of seniority. An honorary Vice- 
President may be appointed by each Annual Con- 
ference. There shall be appointed for this So- 
ciety by the General Conference a Treasurer and 
a Corresponding Secretary, who shall be the 
editor of the Sunday-school publications. The 
other officers of this Society shall be a Recording 



Constitution. 239 

Secretary and two elected Vice-Presidents, who 
shall severally be appointed by the Board of Man- 
agers at the regular quarterly-meeting held in 
June of each year. 

Article VI. 

ANNIVERSARY. 

A public anniversary of the Society shall be 
held each year at such time and place as the 
Board of Managers shall determine. 



Article VII. 

POWERS OF BOARD. 

The Board of Managers shall have the power 
to form their own By-laws ; to fill vacancies occur- 
ring in the intervals of General Conference; to 
remove the Treasurer from office for cause to 
them sufficient, but only after a fair investigation 
before a quorum of the Board with a bishop in 
the chair; to call special meetings of the Society 
whenever they shall deem necessary; to prepare 
and circulate such Sunday-school information, ap- 
peals, or directions as they may think proper; 
and also to offer such advice and suggestions as 
they may deem billable to the Book Agents ami 
editors regarding Sunday-school publications; t<> 
give orders on the Book Agents for such books 



240 Methodist Constitution and Charters, 

as may be needed; and to transact such other 
business as of right belongs to their station, and 
which the interests of the Union may demand. 

Article VIII. 

When any member of the Board shall have 
been absent from four consecutive regular meet- 
ings of the Board without sending an excuse, such 
absence shall be treated as a resignation, and the 
Board shall have authority to declare his place 
vacant and to fill it as other vacancies are filled. 

Article IX. 

AMENDMENTS. 

This Constitution can not be altered except 
by the General Conference of the Methodist Epis- 
copal Church. 



CHARTER OF THE TRACT SOCIETY. 



An Act to Amend the Charter of the Tract Society 
of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Passed April 
20, 1874. 

The People of the State of New York, represented 
in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows: 
Section 1. The Act entitled "An Act to In- 
corporate the Tract Society of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church," passed April fifteenth, eight- 
een hundred and fifty-four, and any Act amenda- 
tory thereof, or relating to said Society, are 
hereby respectively amended so as to read as 
follows : 

Section 2. The several persons now composing 
the said Society, and all other persons who may 
become associated with them, and their succes- 
sors, are hereby constituted a body corporate and 
politic, by the name of "The Tract Society of the 
Aiethodisl Episcopal Church/ 5 and by that name 
they and their successor- shall and may have per- 
241 



242 Methodist Constitution avid Charters. 

petual succession, and shall, in law, be capable 
of suing and being sued in any court whatsoever, 
and may have and use a common seal, and may 
alter the same at pleasure; and such corporation 
is and shall be capable of purchasing, holding, 
and conveying such real and personal estate as 
the purposes of the said corporation shall re- 
quire, not exceeding in amount five hundred thou- 
sand dollars; but the annual income of the real 
estate held by it at any one time within the State 
of New York shall not exceed the sum of seventy- 
five thousand dollars. 

Section 3. The object of the said corporation 
shall be to diffuse the blessings of education, 
civilization, and Christianity, throughout the 
United States and elsewhere, by the publication 
and distribution of tracts, cheap publications, and 
books. 

Section 4. The management and disposition 
of the affairs and property of the said corpora- 
tion shall be vested in a Board of Managers, com- 
posed of thirty-two laymen of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, and thirty-two traveling min- 
isters of the Methodist Episcopal Church, ap- 
pointed by the General Conference of said 
Church at its quadrennial sessions, and of the 
members of said Board. Such Managers as were 
bishops of said Church, who shall be ex-officio 



Charter. 243 

appointed by said General Conference at its last 
session shall be entitled to act as such, from 
and after the passage of this Act, until they or 
others appointed by the ensuing General Con- 
ference shall assume their duties. Any such 
Board of Managers may fill any vacancy happen- 
ing therein until the term shall commence of the 
Managers appointed by an ensuing General Con- 
ference. Said Board of Managers shall have such 
power as may be necessary for the management 
and disposition of the affairs and property of 
the said corporation, in conformity with the Con- 
stitution of said Society, as it now exists, or as 
it may be from time to time amended by the 
General Conference, and to elect the officers of 
the Society, except as herein otherwise provided; 
and such Board of Managers shall be subordinate 
to any directions or regulations made, or to be 
made, by said General Conference. 

Section 5. Thirteen members of the said 
Board of Managers, at any meeting thereof, shall 
be a sufficient number for the transaction of 
business. The Corresponding Secretaries and the 
Treasurer of said Society shall be elected by the 
General Conference of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, and shall hold their offices for four years, 
or until their sucessors are elected; and in case 
of a vacancy by resignation, death, or otherwise, 



244 Meth odist L f onst if ut ion and Charters. 

the bishops of the said Methodist Episcopal 
Church shall fill any vacancy in the office till 
the ensuing General Conference. And, until 
otherwise provided by the General Conference, 
said Board of Managers may appoint and remove 
at pleasure the Treasurer of said corporation. 

Section 6. The said corporation shall be 
capable of taking, receiving, or holding any real 
or personal estate, by virtue of any devise con- 
tained in any last will and testament of any per- 
son whomsoever; subject, however, to the limita- 
tion expressed in the second section of this Act 
as to the aggregate amount of such real estate, 
and also to the provisions of an Act entitled 
"An Act relating to Wills," passed April eight- 
eenth, eighteen hundred and sixty; and the said 
corporation shall be also competent to act as a 
trustee in respect to any devise or bequest per- 
taining to the objects of said corporation, and 
devises and bequests of real or personal prop- 
erty may be made directly to said corporation, 
or in trust for any of the purposes comprehended 
in the general objects of said Society, and such 
trusts may continue for such a time as may be 
necessary to accomplish the purposes for which 
they may be created. 

Section 7. The said corporation shall also pos- 



Charter. 245 

sess the general powers specified in and by the 
Third Title of Chapter Eighteen of the First 
Part of the Revised Statutes of the State of 
New York. 

Section 8. This Act shall take effect imme- 
diately. 



CONSTITUTION OP THE TRACT 
SOCIETY. 



(Adopted by the General Conference at Cincinnati, 
May 27, 1880.) 



Article I. 

NAME. 

This Association shall be denominated the 
Tract Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 

Article II. 

OBJECTS. 

Its object shall be to diffuse knowledge by 
the circulation of the publications of the Meth- 
odist Episcopal Church in the English and other 
languages in our own and foreign countries. 

Article III. 

membership. 

Any person paying to this Society at one time 

$10 shall thereby become an honorary member 

for life; and the payment of $25 at one time 

shall constitute an honorary director for life. 

246 



Constitution. 247 

Article IV. 

HONORARY MEMBERS. 

Persons constituted honorary life members 
by the payment of $10, not designated for any 
special object, shall be entitled to receive tracts 
to the value of two dollars each year; or, if they 
prefer, they may receive tracts at any one time 
to the amount of half the sum paid. 

Article V. 

ANNIVERSARIES. 

A public anniversary shall be held each year 
at such time and place as the Board of Managers 
shall determine. 

Article VI. 

PRESIDENT. 

The senior bishop of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church shall be President of the Society. The 
remaining bishops shall be its Vice-Presidents, 
ranking in the order of seniority. An honorary 
Vice-President may be appointed by each An- 
nual Conference. There shall be appointed by 
the General Conference a Treasurer and a Cor- 
responding Secretary, who shall be the editor of 
the tracts. The other officers of the Society shall 
be a Eecording Secretary and two elected Vice- 
Presidents, who shall severally be appointed by 



248 Methodist Constitution and Charters, 

the Board of Managers at the regular quarterly- 
meeting held in June of each year. 

Article VII. 

EXPENDITURES. 

The funds of this Society shall be expended 
under the direction of the Board of Managers 
in payment of the necessary expenses of the in- 
stitution, and in the promotion of its general 
objects. In all cases of gratuitous aid, books and* 
tracts shall be given instead of money, unless the 
latter is strictly necessary to the accomplishment 
of a constitutional object. 

Article VIII. 

POWERS OF BOARD. 

The Board of Managers shall have power to 
enact their own by-laws; to fill vacancies in the 
Board occurring in the intervals of the General 
Conference ; to remove the Treasurer from office, 
for cause to them sufficient, but only after a fair 
investigation before a quorum of the Board with 
a bishop in the chair; to provide for the trans- 
lation and publication of tracts; to employ col- 
porteurs; to print and circulate appeals to the 
Churches in behalf of the benevolent objects of 
the Society; to raise and disburse funds for those 
objects, and to establish committees of finance 
and appropriations wherever necessary. 



Constitution. 249 

Article IX. 

AUXILIARIES. 

Each Annual Conference of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church may form a Conference Tract 
Society auxiliary to this, with power to adopt 
such measures as in the judgment of said Con- 
ference are best calculated to promote the ob- 
jects of this association, and to form sub-auxil- 
iaries in its several circuits and stations. The 
Presidents of the Conference Auxiliaries shall 
be honorary Vice-Presidents of this Society, or, 
where there is no Auxiliary, the Conference may 
appoint an honorary Vice-President. 

Article X. 

VACANCIES. 

When any member of the Board shall have 
been absent from four consecutive regular meet- 
ings of the Board without sending an excuse, 
such absence shall be deemed a resignation, and 
the Board shall have authority to declare the 
place vacant, and to fill it as other vacancies are 
filled. 

Article XL 

AMENDMENTS. 

This Constitution can not be altered except 
by the General Conference of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church. 



REVISED CHARTER 

OF THE 

BOARD OP CHURCH EXTENSION 

OF THE 

METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. 



As embodied in the Original Act of Incorporation, 
approved March 13, 1865; and a Supplement 
thereto, approved March 11, 18G9; and modified 
by a further Supplement, approved February 
2G, 1873. 



Whereas, The General Conference of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church, at a session held 
in the city of Brooklyn, in the State of New 
York, did, on the twenty-eighth day of May, 
Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and 
seventy-two, provide for the appointment of a 
Board of Church Extension of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, and did on the first day of 
June, one thousand eight hundred and seventy- 
two, designate the persons constituting the 
Board of Managers of the Church Extension So- 
ciety of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in- 
250 



Revised Charter. 251 

corporated by an Act of the General Assembly 
of the State of Pennsylvania, entitled "An Act 
to Incorporate the Church Extension Society of 
the Methodist Episcopal Church," approved the 
thirteenth clay of March, Anno Domini one thou- 
sand eight hundred and sixty-five, to constitute 
said Board of Church Extension; and 

Whereas, The Church Extension Society of 
the Methodist Episcopal Church, incorporated as 
aforesaid, did at the regular annual meeting of 
the said Society, duly convened in the city of 
Philadelphia, on the twenty-second day of No- 
vember, Anno Domini one thousand eight hun- 
dred and seventy-two, unanimously concur with 
the aforesaid action of the General Conference 
of the said Methodist Episcopal Church; and 

Whereas, The Board of Managers of the said 
Church Extension Society of the Methodist Epis- 
copal Church has, in pursuance of the action of 
the said Society and of the action of the Gen- 
eral Conference aforesaid, petitioned the General 
Assembly of the State of Pennsylvania for an 
Act amendatory to the Act of Incorporation of 
said Church Extension Society to conform with 
the action of said Church Extension Society and 
the General Conference of the Methodist Epis- 
copal Church, as hereinbefore recited ; now, there- 
fore, 



252 Mi thodist ( Constitution anil ( 'ha/rh. rs. 

Section 1. Be it enacted, By the Senate and 
House of Representatives of the Commonwealth 
of Pennsylvania, in General Assembly met, and 
it is hereby enacted by the authority of the same : 
That the name of the said corporation be and is 
hereby changed from that of the Church Ex- 
tension Society of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church to that of the Board of Church Extension 
of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 

Section 2. That Thomas T. Tasker, Sr. (and 
others named), and their successors, and such 
others persons who are now or shall hereafter be 
associated with them as members of said Board, 
upon the terms and conditions hereinafter set 
forth, be and they are hereby enacted into a body 
politic and corporate in deed and in law by the 
Corporate name, name, style, and title of "The Board of Church 
Extension of the Methodist Episcopal Church," 
and by that name shall have perpetual succession, 
and be able to sue and be sued, plead and be 
impleaded, in any court of law and equity, and 
elsewhere, and shall be able and capable in law 
Powers, and equity to take and hold to them and their 
successors, either by gift, devise, grant, bargain, 
sale, release, or otherwise, any lands, real estate 
whatsoever, and also to take and hold, for the 
use of said Board, any goods and chattels, sum 
or sums of money and other personal property 



Revised Charter. 253 

whatever, by gift, grant, bargain, sale, will, de- 
vise, bequest, or otherwise, from any person what- 
ever, capable of making the same; and the said 
real and personal estate to grant, bargain, sell, 
mortgage, alien, and dispose of at their pleasure, 
and generally to do all and singular the matter 
and things which shall be lawful for them to do 
for the well-being and due management of the Annuities, 
affairs of the said Board. Provided, That the real 
estate of the said Board shall not exceed the 
net yearly income of one hundred thousand dol- 
lars. 

Section 3. That it shall be lawful for the said 
Board of Church Extension to accept contribu- 
tions to the funds of said Board from any per- 
son or persons capable of making the same, sub- 
ject to an annuity payable to the order of the 
persons making such donations. Provided, how- 
ever, That all amounts so received shall be loaned 
by said Board on adequate securities; and pro- 
vided further, That the aggregate amount of an- 
nuities that the said Board shall assume to pay 
shall never be allowed to exceed the annual inter- 
est receivable on the loans made by the said 
Board. 

Section 4. That it shall and may be lawful 
for the said corporation to have a common seal, Seal, 
and the same at will and pleasure change, alter. 



iir>4 Methodist Constitution and Charters. 

and renew, as they shall think proper, and shall 
have and exercise all the rights, privileges, and 
immunities, necessary for the purposes of the 
corporation hereby constituted, and as herein 
expressed. 

Section 5. That the said Board of Church 
Extension shall be appointed by the General Con- 
ference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and 
perpetuated in the manner set forth in the Book 
of Discipline of said Church; and the said Board 
General Confer- shall be under the direction and control of the 
ence control. General Conference of the said Methodist Epis- 
copal Church in all things not inconsistent with 
the Constitution and laws of the United States 
and of the State of Pennsylvania. 

Section 6. That the present Board of Man- 
agers of the Church Extension Society aforesaid 
shall constitute the said Board of Church Ex- 
Tenure, tension until the next ensuing session of the Gen- 
eral Conference of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, and until their successors are duly ap- 
pointed as provided in the preceding section. 



(HISTORIC.) 

EAELY CONSTITUTION OF THE CHUKCH 
EXTENSION SOCIETY OF THE METH- 
ODIST EPISCOPAL CHUKCH. 



(See General Conference Journal, 1864, page 492.) 



Article I. 



"This association, denominated 'The Church Ex- 
tension Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church,' 
is organized for the purpose of enabling the several 
Annual Conferences to extend and establish our 
Christian influence and power throughout the United 
States and Territories, by aiding, wherever neces- 
sary, to secure suitable houses of public worship 
and such other church property as may promote the 
general design. 

Article II. 

"The payment of twenty dollars at one time shall 
constitute a member for life. Any person paying one 
hundred and fifty dollars at one time into the treas- 
ury shall be an honorary manager for life; and the 
contribution of five hundred dollars shall constitute 
the donor an honorary patron for life; both of whom 
shall be entitled to a seat and the right of speaking, 
but not of voting, in the Board of Managers. 
255 



L'50 JL thodist ( Constitution and ( '//<//■/< rs. 

Article III. 

"The officers of this Society shall be a President, 
three Vice-Presidents, a Corresponding Secretary, 
Treasurer, Assistant Treasurer, and Recording Sec- 
retary. 

Article IV. 

"The management and disposition of the affairs 
and property of this Society shall be vested in a 
Board of Managers, consisting of twenty-five laymen, 
all being members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, 
and so many clerical members, not exceeding that 
number, as shall be determined at each annual meet- 
ing called for that purpose, each of whom shall be a 
minister of the M*ethodist Episcopal Church, and all 
of whom, both the lay and clerical members, shall be 
elected at the said annual meeting. 

Article V. 

"The Corresponding Secretary shall be appointed 
by the General Conference. He shall reside in the 
city of Philadelphia, and conduct the correspondence 
of the Society under the direction of the Board. He 
shall be subject to the direction and control of the 
Board of Managers, by whom his salary is to be fixed 
and paid. He shall be exclusively employed in con- 
ducting the correspondence of the Society, and, under 
the direction of the Board, in promoting its general 
interests by traveling or otherwise. Should his office 
beeoine vacant by death, resignation, or otherwise, 
the Board shall have power to provide for the duties 
of the office until the bishops, or a majority of them, 
shall fill the vacancy. 



Early Constitution. 257 

Aeticle VI. 
"The Board shall have authority to appoint all the 
officers required by the charter, and to make by-laws 
for regulating its own proceedings; to appropriate 
money to defray incidental expenses; fill vacancies 
that may occur in their own body during the year; 
and shall present a statement of its transactions and 
funds to the Society at its annual meeting, and also 
shall lay before the General Conference a report of 
its transactions for the four preceding years, and the 
state of its funds. 

Aeticle VII. 
"The annual meeting for the election of officers 
and managers shall be held on the in No- 
vember, in the city of Philadelphia, and the term of 
the service of the officers and managers so elected 
shall commence January 1st following. 

Aeticle VIII. 
"At all meetings of the Society and of the Board, 
the President, or in his absence the Vice-President 
first on the list then present, and in the absence of all 
the Vice-Presidents a member appointed by the meet- 
ing for that purpose, shall preside. 

Aeticle IX. 
"Twenty-one members at each meeting of the So- 
ciety, and nine at each meeting of the Board of Man- 
agers, shall be a quorum. 

Aeticle X. 
"The minutes of each meeting shall be signed by 
the Chairman of the meeting at which the minutes 
are read and approved. 



258 Mi thodist ( Constitution and ( i ha/rU rs. 

Article XI. 
"It is recommended that within the bounds of each 
Annual Conference there be established a Conference 
Church Extension Society, auxiliary to this associ- 
ation, under such regulations as the Conferences re- 
spectively may prescribe. 

Article XII. 

"Any auxiliary society or donor may designate 
the society or societies to which they desire any part 
or the whole of the donation by them made to be 
appropriated, which special designation shall be pub- 
licly acknowledged by the Board. But in the event 
that more funds should be raised for any particular 
society or object than is necessary, or than have been 
appropriated by the General Committee, the surplus 
shall be at the disposal of this Society for its general 
purposes. 

Article XIII. 

"The Annual Conferences shall be divided into as 
many districts as there are effective superintendents, 
and there shall be a committee consisting of one from 
each district, to be appointed by the bishops, and to 
be called the General Committee. It shall be the duty 
of this committee to meet annually, in the city of 
Philadelphia, between the 1st and 20th of November, 
as shall be determined by the Corresponding Secre- 
tary and Treasurer, to act jointly with the Board of 
Managers, the Corresponding Secretary, and the 
Treasurer, in fixing the amounts which may be do- 
nated and loaned during the ensuing year, and the 
division of said amounts among the several Annual 
Conferences and societies applying for aid. Said com- 
mittee, with the concurrence of the Board, shall de- 



Early Constitution. 259 

terrnine tbe amounts for which each bishop may 
draw, to be donated and loaned respectively within 
the limits of those Conferences over which he shall 
preside, and he shall not draw on the Treasurer for 
more than said amount; and in no case shall money 
be donated or loaned to any society if after such 
donation or loan there shall remain any legal encum- 
brance or claim against the property to be secured, 
except only such as may be held by this Society. 

'"Should any of the members of said General Com- 
mittee, in the interval of General Conference, go out 
of office by death, resignation, or otherwise, the 
bishop presiding in the Conferences where the va- 
cancy shall occur shall appoint another to fill the 
vacancy. 

"Said committee shall be amenable to the General 
Conference, to which it shall make full report of its 
doings. 

"Expenses incurred in the discharge of its duties 
shall be paid by the Treasurer of the Society. 

Aeticle XIY. 

"This Constitution shall not be altered or amended 
but by the General Conference, upon the recommen- 
dation of the Board of Managers, or by the Board 
on the recommendation of the General Conference." 



CONSTITUTION 

OF THE 

CHURCH EXTENSION SOCIETY 

OF THE 

Methodist Episcopal Church. 



(See General Conference Journal, 1868, page 555.) 



Article I. 

NAME. 

This association, denominated "The Church 
Extension Society of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church/' is organized for the purpose of assist- 
ing the several Annual Conferences to extend 
and establish our Christian influence throughout 
the United States and Territories by aiding, 
wherever most needed, to secure suitable sites for 
and house of public worship, and such other 
Church property as may promote the general 
design. 

Article II. 

MEMBERSHIP. 

The payment of one dollar shall constitute a 
member for one year, and the payment of twenty 
dollars at one time shall constitute a member 
260 



Constitution. 261 

for life. Any person paying one hundred and 
fifty dollars at one time into the treasury shall 
he an honorary manager for life; and the con- 
tribution of five hundred dollars shall constitute 
the donor an honorary patron for life; each of 
whom shall he entitled to a seat and the right 
of speaking, hut not of voting, in the Board of 
Managers. Five thousand dollars or more con- 
tributed at one time shall constitute a separate 
Loan Fund, which shall bear the name of the con- 
tributor, or such name as he shall designate. 
Said fund shall never be donated for any purpose, 
or used for current expenses, but shall be a per- 
petual fund, to be loaned in aid of church exten- 
sion, under the direction of the Board; and the 
Corresponding Secretary shall report annually 
the investment thereof, and the work acomplished 
thereby. 

Article III. 

OFFICERS. 

The officers of this Society shall be a Presi- 
dent, five Vice-Presidents, a Corresponding Sec- 
retary, Treasurer, Assistant Treasurer, and Ke- 
cording Secretary. 

Article IV. 

MANAGEMENT. 

The management and disposition of the af- 
fairs and property of this Society shall be vested 



262 Methodist ( 'onstitution and ( %arti rs. 

in a Board of Managers, consisting of thirty-five 
laymen, all being members of the Methodist Epis- 
copal Church, and thirty-five traveling ministers 
of the Methodist Episcopal Church, all of whom 
shall be elected at the annual meeting. 

Article V. 

CORRESPONDING SECRETARY. 

The Corresponding Secretary shall be ap- 
pointed by the General Conference. He shall 
conduct the correspondence of the Society under 
the direction of the Board, and shall be subject 
to the direction and control of the Board of 
Managers, by whom his salary shall be fixed and 
paid. He shall be exclusively employed in con- 
ducting the affairs of the Society, and under the 
direction of the Board, in promoting its general 
interest by traveling or otherwise. Should a va- 
cancy occur by death, resignation, or otherwise, 
the Board shall have power to provide for the 
office until the next ensuing annual meeting, 
when a joint meeting of the bishops, General 
Committee, and Board of Managers shall fill the 
vacancy. 

Article VI. 

POWERS OF BOARD. 

The Board shall have authority to appoint all 
the officers required by the Charter, except as 



Constitution. 2(53 

provided in Article V, and to make by-laws for 
regulating its own proceedings; to employ such 
agents as it may deem necessary; to appropriate 
money to defray incidental expenses; fill vacan- 
cies that may occur in its own body during the 
year; and shall present a statement of its tran- 
sactions and funds to the General Committee 
at its annual meeting; and also shall lay before 
the General Conference a report of its transac- 
tions for the four preceding years, and state of 
its funds. 

Article VII. 

ANNUAL MEETING. 

The anual meeting for the election of Man- 
agers shall be held in the month of November 
in each year, in the city of Philadelphia, and the 
term of the service of the Managers so elected 
shall commence January 1st following. At the 
first meeting in January the Board shall elect 
the officers required by the Charter for the en- 
suing year. 

Article YIII. 

PRESIDENT. 

At all meetings of the Society and of the 
Board, the President, or, in his absence, the 
Vice-President first on the list then present, and, 
in the absence of all the Vice-Presidents, a mem- 
ber appointed by the meeting for that purpose, 
shall preside. 



204 Methodist Constitution and Charters. 
Article IX. 

QUORUM. 

Twenty-one members at each meeting of the 
Society, and nine at each meeting of the Board 
of Managers, shall be a quorum. 

Article X. 

MINUTES. 

The minutes of each meeting shall be signed 
by the Secretary thereof. 

Article XL 
conference boards. 

In order to be entitled to any of the funds 
of this Society, each Annual Conference shall 
at each session appoint a Board of Church Ex- 
tension, composed of equal numbers of ministers 
and laymen, consisting of a President, Vice- 
President, Corresponding Secretary, Eecording 
Secretary, and Treasurer, and not less than three 
additional members, so located that a quorum 
thereof may be convened at any time. And the 
Secretary of the Conference shall immediately 
thereafter notify the Corresponding Secretary of 
this Society of such appointment, and of the 
names and post-office address of each member 
thereof. 

Said Board shall have authority to adopt by- 
laws not inconsistent with this Constitution, and 



'- 



Constitution. 265 

shall, under the direction of the Parent Board, 
have charge of all the interests and work of 
church extension within the bounds of the Con- 
ference. It shall, in connection with the Confer- 
ence, take all necessary measures to procure 
liberal annual collections from each congrega- 
tion in the Conference, and special donations and 
bequests to the Loan Fund of the Society. It 
shall carefully examine all applications for aid 
from within the bounds of the Conference, and 
recommend only such as are found to be truly 
needy and meritorious. It shall keep and pre- 
serve, in suitable books to be furnished by the 
Parent Board, a faithful record of all its pro- 
ceedings, and account of amounts asked and re- 
ceived each year from every pastoral charge. And 
the Treasurer of said Board shall remit all funds 
in his hands to the Treasurer of the Parent So- 
ciety at least once in every three months. 

It shall make full report of its proceedings 
for the preceding year to each session of the An- 
nual Conference, and at the same time to the 
Parent Board. 

A failure to comply with any of the provisions 
of this article shall forfeit all claims upon the 
funds of this Society. 



266 Methodist Constitution and Charters. 
Article XII. 

APPLICATIONS. 

All applications for aid from the funds of 
this Society shall be made in accordance with 
blank forms to be furnished by the Parent Board, 
and shall set forth : 

1. The number of Church members, Sunday- 
school children, and congregation to be accom- 
modated, the population of the place, and pros- 
pects of growth. 

2. The legal incorporation of the Church or 
Board of Trustees. 

3. The location, size, present and prospective 
value of the site, the validity of the title thereto, 
and whether held in trust for the Methodist 
Episcopal Church. 

4. A description of the building to which the 
aid if granted will be applied, and, if required, 
a copy of the plans and specifications of the archi- 
tect shall be submitted, and, if deemed necessary 
by the Parent or Conference Board, modified as 
may be suggested. 

5. The estimated and probable cost when 
completed. 

6. The available resources, and amount of re- 
liable subscription, and that those immediately 
interested have done or are doing all that could 
reasonably be expected. 



Constitution. 267 

7. What amount of debt, if any, may be al- 
lowed to remain against the property, and how 
soon the Trustees or others will agree to re- 
move it. 

8. Is the property insured? Will it be? To 
what amount? 

9. Whether the Church, if aided, will become 
self-supporting, and how soon, and to what ex- 
tent it may be expected to aid in the general 
work of God. 

10. Any additional -facts and circumstances 
that will assist the Board to a proper decision 
on the application. 

Every such application for aid shall be first 
submitted to the Conference Board of Church 
Extension, and said Board shall certify its action 
thereon to the Parent Board, and aid shall be 
granted only by the concurrent action of both 
the Conference and Parent Boards. Provided, 
however, that in any case in which such Con- 
ference Board can not be created, or act, the 
bishop having charge, or a committee by him ap- 
pointed, may perform the duties herein imposed 
upon the Conference Board. 

Article XIII. 

SURPLUS. 

Contributors may designate the object to 
which they desire any part or the whole of the 



268 Methodist Constitution and Charters. 

donation by them made to be appropriated, which 
special designation shall be publicly acknowl- 
edged by the Treasurer. But in the event that 
more funds should be raised for any particular 
object than the Parent Board shall deem neces- 
sary, or than have been appropriated by the Gen- 
eral Committee, the surplus shall be at the dis- 
posal of this Society for its general purposes. 

Akticle XIV. 

GENERAL COMMITTEE. 

The Annual Conferences shall be divided into 
as many districts as there are effective Superin- 
tendents, and there shall be a Committee, con- 
sisting of one from each district, to be appointed 
by the bishops, and to be called the General Com- 
mittee of Church Extension. It shall be the duty 
of this Committee to meet annually in the city of 
Philadelphia, on such day in the month of Xo- 
vember as shall be determined by the Correspond- 
ing Secretary and Treasurer, to act jointly with 
the bishops, Board of Managers, Corresponding 
Secretary, and Treasurer, in fixing the amounts 
which may be donated and loaned during the 
current year, and the division of said amounts 
within the bounds of the several Annual Confer- 
ences, and to Churches applying for aid; and in 
no case shall money be donated or loaned for any 



Constitution. 269 

object, if after such donation or loan there shall 
remain any legal incumbrance or claim against 
the property to be secured, except only such as 
may be held by this Society, or approved by the 
Board of Managers. 

Should any member of said General Commit- 
tee, in the interval of General Conference, go out 
of office by death, resignation, or otherwise, the 
bishop presiding in the Conference to which he 
belonged shall appoint another member thereof 
to fill the vacancy. 

Said Committee shall be amenable to the Gen- 
eral Conference, to which it shall make full re- 
port of its doings. 

Expenses incurred in the discharge of its 
duties shall be paid by the Treasurer of the So- 
ciety. 

Article XV. 

AMENDMENTS. 

This Constitution shall not be altered ot 
amended but by the General Conference, upon 
the recommendation of the Board of Managers, 
or by the Board on the recommendation of the 
General Conference. 



FREEDMEN'S AID AND SOUTHERN 
EDUCATION SOCIETY. 



The unique character and peculiar history of this 
Society fully justifies an elaborate mention of the 
facts and persons connected with its early organiza- 
tion. Hence the following: 

ORGANIZING CONVENTION. 
(Official Report.) 
"Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church, 
"Cincinnati, Ohio, August 7, 1866. 
"In pursuance with a call, a Convention of min- 
isters and laymen met this day, at 2 o'clock P. M., in 
Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church, Cincinnati, Ohio, 
to confer in regard to the work of relief and educa- 
tion required in behalf of the Freedmen. 

"The following persons were present, viz.: Bishop 
D. W. Clark, Revs. Adam Poe, J. M. Reid, R. S. Rust, 
J. M. Walden, J. R. Stillwell, and Mr. J. F. Larkin, 
of Cincinnati, Ohio; Rev. Luke Hitchcock and Hon. 
Grant Goodrich, of Chicago, 111.; Rev. B. F. Crary, 
of St. Louis, Mo.; and Rev. Robert Allyn, of Leb- 
anon, 111. 

"Bishop D. W. Clark was chosen Chairman, and 
Rev. J. M. Walden Secretary. 

"Prayer was offered by Dr. Crary. 
270 



Freedmen s Aid. 271 

"The following call for the Convention was read: 
" 'Cincinnati, Ohio, July 30, 1866. 

" 'Dear Brother,— The undersigned request a meet- 
ing of a few leading ministers and laymen of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church in the West, to confer 
in regard to the relation of our Church to the work 
of relief and education in behalf of the Freedmen. 
We have been associated with the Western and 
Northwestern Freedmen's Aid Commissions. The 
official positions assigned us by them have made us 
the representatives of our Church in these catholic * 
Societies; and, so long as they had the hearty co-oper- 
ation of the leading religious denomination, or even 
a majority of them, we felt that our position could 
but have the approval of our brethren, and that the 
best interests of the Freedmen and the country would 
be subserved by the members of our Church making 
these Commissions the almoners of their contribu- 
tions for the benefit of the Freedmen. 

" 'Now we look to our brethren for counsel. For 
more than a year there has been a strong tendency 
toward denominational movements. One sect after 
another has withdrawn from the Commissions, and 
organized within itself, till they can rely on the gen- 
eral co-operation of scarcely more than one leading 
denomination besides our own. On the other hand, 
demands for teachers and schools in connection with 
the mission-work of our Church in the South have 
been constantly increasing, with no adequate pro- 
visions to meet them. In view of these and other 
facts, we feel that the time has come when the matter 
should have the careful and prayerful consideration 
of those whose judgment upon it would have great 
influence with the Church. 



♦These societies were undenominational and general. 



272 Methodist Constitution and Charters. 

" 'If deemed best to continue our co-operation 
with the existing Commissions, the cause demands 
that the whole strength of our Church be secured to 
it. If a society to co-operate with our Missionary and 
Church Extension Societies seems to be required, it 
should be organized without delay. A decision should 
be reached at once, that the timely approval of the 
Fall Conferences in the West may be secured. 

" 'We therefore join in requesting you to attend 
a meeting for the purpose named, to be held in Trin- 
ity Methodist Episcopal Church, Cincinnati, O., on 
Tuesday, August 7th, at 2 o'clock P. M. We believe 
that the importance of the interests involved will 
secure your attendance, if possible for you to come. 
" 'Adam Poe, T. M. Eddv. 

" 'J. F. Larkin. Graxt Goodrich, 
" 'I. W. Wiley. R. M. Hatfield, 
" 'J. M. Keid, J. M. Waldex.' 

" 'R. S. Rust, 

"The following letter from Bishop Morris was 
read: 

" 'Springfield, O., August 6, 1866. 

" 'Dear Brethren,— Your printed notice of a meet- 
ing at Trinity, to-morrow, for the relief and educa- 
tion of Freedmen, with an invitation to attend, is 
received. It is not convenient for me to go, nor is 
it important to the main object in view that I should 
be there. You who have been practically engaged 
in the great and good enterprise know more about it 
than I do, and understand what measures are re- 
quisite for its accomplishment better than I can tell 
you. In a word, I have more confidence in your judg- 
ment than in my own. Yet one thing is clear to my 
mind— that is, if we, as a Church, do not meet our 



Freedmens Aid. 273 

own responsibility, no one will meet it for us. May 
the Lord favor us with prudent measures and suc- 
cessful results! Yours truly, T. A. Morris.' 

"A letter from Rev. Dr. F. C. Holliday was read, 
containing the following paragraph: 

" 'It is not convenient for me to attend, but my 
opinion is that it will be much better for us to operate 
through our own organization, and avoid all entang- 
ling alliances. Be responsible for our own work, and 
let others be responsible for theirs. That such must 
ultimately be the condition of things is generally 
admitted. That the time has come to shape our ac- 
tion in that direction, I believe.' 

"Dr. Walden's Statement. 

"By request of the meeting, Rev. J. M. Walden 
submitted a statement, as follows: 

" 'Since the organization of the Western and 
Northwestern Freedmen's Aid Commissions, the mem- 
bership of the Methodist Episcopal Church have been 
aiding these Societies in prosecuting their work in 
behalf of the Freedmen. We have met to consider 
whether this co-operation shall be continued, or 
whether the times and work require the organization 
of a Society to be controlled entirely by members of 
our own Church. 

" 'It should be known what the Commissions, as 
now organized, are accomplishing. Those in the West 
have planted schools at the more important points 
in the Mississippi Valley, maintained in these schools, 
during the past year, an average, at least, of one 
hundred teachers, mostly Christian men and women, 
opened Sunday-schools, relieved the poor, cared for 
the orphan, 



2 74: Methodist Constitution and Charters. 

" 'It should also be stated that, after efforts ex- 
tending through the past two and a half years, the 
several undenominational societies have been united 
in a National Commission, having its branches in the 
East and West, a movement that may possibly bene- 
fit the work in various ways. 

" 'My remarks are confined mainly to the oper- 
ations of the catholic Societies in the West, because 
it is with these I am most familiar; but I may say 
that the work is the same as prosecuted by the Soci- 
ety in the East, except that they have been enabled 
to accomplish more, and have been less careful as to 
the Christian sentiments and standing of their teach- 
ers and agents. 

" 'With these undenominational Commissions al- 
ready in the field, accomplishing, as they have, a 
great and good work, it will be asked, What has sug- 
gested the propriety, or indicated the necessity, of 
organizing a Society that shall be Methodistic in its 
character, and what would be the probable results 
of such a movement? 

" 'The following considerations, among others, 
have suggested such a movement to those who have 
given attention to the question: 

" '1. The organization of denominational societies 
by other branches of the Christian Church. The Freed- 
men's Aid Commissions, though not national, were at 
first the representatives of nearly all the leading de- 
nominations in the Freedmen's relief work. In their 
Boards of Officers these denominations were repre- 
sented, and contributions for the support of the work 
were received alike from all; but most of the denomi- 
nations have organized societies within themselves, 
or made other special arrangements— viz.: The United 
Presbyterian, United Brethren, Friends, Old School 



FreedmevbS Aid. 275 

Presbyterian, Baptist, Congregationalism and Prot- 
estant Episcopal Churches— leaving the New School 
Presbyterian and Methodist Episcopal Churches the 
only denominations of any size which have continued 
their co-operation, without diversion, with the Com- 
missions. 

" '2. These denominational societies are co-oper- 
ating with and strengthening the missionary efforts 
of their respective Churches, by sustaining schools 
at those points where their missionaries are laboring; 
hence the question comes up whether the contribu- 
tions of Methodists might not and ought not to be 
made to aid our mission-work in the same way among 
the Freedmen. 

" '3. A large per cent of the home collections come 
from the Methodist Churches and people. During 
the past year about $100,000 in cash have been col- 
lected in the West— between $69,000 and $70,000 at 
Chicago, between $13,000 and $14,000 at Cincinnati, 
and the balance of the sum named at Indianapolis, 
Detroit, and Cleveland. This does not include the 
collections made at Pittsburg, and I have no data at 
hand to aid in an estimate. I think I am safe in 
saying that not less than fifty per cent of the whole 
amount has come from the membership of the Meth- 
odist Episcopal Church. This ratio must increase, as 
Churches open to the agents of the Commissions dur- 
ing a part of the past year are now being closed, espe- 
cially the Congregationalist and Baptist. 

11 '4. The funds thus contributed are expended by 
undenominational societies. While other denomina- 
tions have organized their own societies, or selected 
their special denominational agencies, they are as 
largely represented among the officers and directors 
of the Commissions as before they made these sec- 



276 Methodist Constitution and Charters. 

tariuu movements. The catholic Commissions can 
not favor any Church movements without compro- 
mising their position, and thereby exciting the feel- 
ings they would allay; and hence the Methodist Mis- 
sion Schools are languishing, though a small per 
cent of what our Church has given to the Commis- 
sions would have fully sustained them. 

" 'These are the leading facts which have led to 
the call of this Convention, and forced upon us the 
question: Shall we organize a Methodist Freedmen's 
Aid Society, or shall we still co-operate with the ex- 
isting Commissions? 

" 'If, after carefully considering all the facts, it 
shall be deemed best to continue our co-operation 
with the American Freedmen's Union Commission 
and its branches, this meeting may serve a good pur- 
pose in doing much to make that co-operation general 
and hearty, as the facts I have mentioned have dimin- 
ished the zeal of our people in the cause as now car- 
ried forward. 

" T may now briefly mention some of the possible 
results of the new movement within the pale of our 
own Church, at least such as have occurred to my 
mind: 

" '1. The schools organized would be supplied 
with Methodist teachers, and might be under the local 
supervision of our missionaries, thereby securing to 
them a religious character congenial to the habits 
and feelings of the colored people. 

" '2. It would give our missionary work greater 
favor with the Freeclmen. There has been a strange 
quickening of the mind of that race, and the Church 
which aids them most in the matter of education 
will gain the greatest influence over them. There will 



Freedmen's Aid. 277 

be more or less distress among the Freedmen, and to 
relieve this will tend in the same direction. 

" '3. It would further strengthen our mission-work 
by furnishing Sunday-school teachers, and increase 
the efficiency of the Sunday-schools by making them 
a part of a Church movement. 

'• 4 4. At a moderate estimate it should secure fifty 
thousand dollars, to be applied to these schools in 
connection with our mission-work. This would sup- 
port one hundred teachers nine months in the year; 
each teacher would have an average attendance of 
fifty scholars (5.000). And if these began in the 
alphabet, they would learn to read during the single 
session. 

" '5. At many points the Freedmen might aid in 
supporting schools. Tuition in the schools of the 
Northwestern Freedmen's Aid Commission average 
about eighty dollars per month this year; the next 
will probably be better. At some places the Freed- 
men will become responsible for the teachers' board. 

" 'G. Under the new Freedmen's Bureau Bill the 
Government is to provide every Society with school- 
houses for all the teachers they will support. 

" '7. A Methodist Freedmen's Aid Society would 
give our Church a more direct, and hence a greater, 
interest in the education of the Freedmen, and conse- 
quently increase the zeal in the mission-work in their 
behalf. 

" '8. If there should arise a necessity for ecclesias- 
tical legislation in regard to this work, the experi- 
ence acquired within the time intervening between 
this and the next session of the General Conference 
would be of great service in shaping such legislation. 

" 'In all these ways it will aid the Church in meet- 



278 Methodist Constitution and Charters. 

ing those responsibilities which are indicated on the 
one hand by the predilection of so large a proportion 
of the colored people in her favor, and on the other 
hand by the efficiency which has been vouchsafed to 
her as a missionary Church. 

" 'Objections will be suggested: 

" '1. It will be claimed that the effect of such an 
organization will be injurious to existing Commis- 
sions. It is not certain that we are to be held respon- 
sible if it is clearly seen that our Church would do 
more by her own Society than in any other way. 

" '2. The objection has been made, though it will 
not be by any one present, that the educational work 
among the Freedmen should be kept distinct from the 
religious movement in their behalf. I read from the 
paper of the American Missionary Association the 
following, not so much to show the fallacy of this as 
to show the purpose of that Society as an agency 
largely under the control of the Congregational 
Churches. Speaking of the division of the religious 
and educational work, they say: 

" ' "We wish now to state briefly that no such di- 
vision of labor is contemplated: 

" ' "1. Because the instruction of the people is a 
legitimate part of our work, the charter of the Amer- 
ican Missionary Association making distinct provision 
for educational efforts. 

" ' "2. Because the division would be highly inex- 
pedient, uneconomical, and injurious; and 

" ' "3. That we can not abandon our educational 
work among the Freedmen without forfeiting more 
than half our power to do them good, and diminishing 
the real benefits done to them far more than could be 
compensated for by any fancied good to result from 
our relinquishment of it. 



Freed J men k s Aid. 279 

" ' "As a missionary organization— the first body to 
commence the work of supplying the physical wants 
of the Freedmen, the first to send them missionaries 
and teachers— we can not, without unfaithfulness to 
them and to God, relinquish to other hands our efforts 
for their education. Most especially we ean not re- 
linquish it to those who do not require a Christian 
standing in their teachers. 

u i «The work to be done for the Freedmen is in 
reality one work. The supply of necessary clothing 
is but a part of that work; the intellectual education 
of the people is another part. The grand work is the 
elevation of the people, fitting them for the duties 
and the responsibilities of their new position, making 
them better men and citizens, winning them to Christ, 
and preparing them for eternal life. For accomplish- 
ing this end, the American Missionary Association 
insists on using the highest motives that God has fur- 
nished—the best means that he, in his wisdom, has 
provided— the gospel in the hands, and with the ex- 
ample of living Christians." 

" '3. It is objected that the Methodist Episcopal 
Church has so much work before it that a new enter- 
prise will embarrass those already undertaken. It 
may be replied: 

'••('/i That the collection will be taken for the 
Freedmen, and it is only to say who shall control it. 

" '(6) The Centenary Mull soon be over, and hence 
will not long affect this movement. 

" '(c) If within our Church, the application for 
collections can be best controlled so as not to em- 
barrass other claims.' 



280 Methodist Constitution and Charters. 



"Remabks by Members of the Convention. 

"The presentation of this statement was followed 
by remarks by most of the members of the Conven- 
tion. It is sufficient for this record to give the gen- 
eral drift of the discussion. 

"Dr. Rust called special attention to the fact that 
after a long time the several independent Commis- 
sions of the country had formed a National Commis- 
sion. This grand National Society has just been 
fairly launched, and we should be very careful in 
adopting measures that might tend towards breaking 
it up. The hope of the Commission now is to be in- 
strumental in introducing or in aiding in the intro- 
duction of a great Free-school System throughout the 
South, and the new movement now suggested might 
not be favorable to so broad, grand, and necessary a 
work. 

"Rev. Dr. Poe favored the organization of a Meth- 
odist Society, and said that he could maintain his 
present relation to the Commissions, if the best inter- 
ests of the Freedmen's cause required it, and aid both 
Societies. The members of other denominations had 
retained their places in the Commissions, and it would 
be as consistent for him to do so likewise, and this 
new Society can do the work that is needed in con- 
nection with our missions among the Freedmen, 
which the Commissions have failed or declined to do. 

"Rev. J. R. Stillwell, Collecting Agent of the 
Western Freedmen's Aid Commission, thought it 
doubtful whether the undenominational Commissions 
could sustain themselves should the patronage of our 
Church be withdrawn, and in that event something 
now contributed by smaller denominations to these 
Commissions would be lost to the cause. In reply 



Free dm en's Aid. 281 

to an inquiry, he stated that about seventy-five per 
cent collects ns came from Methodist people and 
M thodist congregations. 

"The Secretary, Dr. Watden, presented letters 
unon the same subject from other agents. Chaplain 
J. R. Locke reported that two-thirds of his collec- 
t.^ns were from Methodist congregations. Rev. J. L. 
Gibson reported that three-fourths of his were from 
the same. Similar statements were received in regard 
to the work of other agents, fully showing that dur- 
ing the past year more than one-half of the contribu- 
tions in the West have come from our Church. 

"Rev. Dr. Crary, Judge Goodrich, Rev. Dr. Allyn, 
and Rev. Dr. Hitchcock took part in the discussion 
of the facts brought before the Convention, and the 
policy these facts seemed to indicate as demanded by 
our Chinch. 

"Bishop Clark made a statement as to the wants 
of the mission work in his department, and the ad- 
vantage of having schools connected with missions 
among the Freedmen. 

"The Secretary, Dr. Walden, then offered the fol- 
lowing resolution, viz.: 

" 'Resolved. That the time has come for the organ- 
ization of a Society for the relief and education of the 
Freedmen and people of color in general, to co-operate 
with the Missionary and Church Extension Societies 
of the Methodist Episcopal Church.' 

'•After further discussion of the necessity of this 
Convention organizing at this time such a Society so 
as to bring it before the Fall Conferences for their 
action, the resolution was adopted by a unanimous 
vote. 

"On motion, a Committee consisting of Dr. Wal- 
den. Judge Goodrich, Dr. Crary, Dr. Hitchcock, and 



282 Methodist Constitution and Charters. 

Dr. Rust was appointed to report a plan of organiza- 
tion and prepare a draft of a Constitution. 

"The Committee on Organization reported the 
draft of the Constitution, the articles of which were 
taken up and discussed seriatim, and with the pre- 
amble, after some amendments, adopted as follows: 

" 'Constitution of the Freedmen's Aid Society of 
the Methodist Episcopal Church. 

" 'Whereas, The highest success of the mission- 
ary work of the Methodist Episcopal Church in the 
South requires the maintenance of schools among the 
Freedmen; and 

" 'Whereas, The existing General Freedmen's 
Aid Commission can not consistently aid a denomina- 
tional work; and 

" 'Whereas, There is no specific provision by be- 
nevolent organization in our Church to meet the 
special educational wants of the Freedmen, we there- 
fore do form a Society under the following Constitu- 
tion, with the name and for the purposes therein de- 
clared: 

'• 'Article I. This organization shall be known as 
the Freedmen's Aid Society of the Methodist Epis- 
copal Church. 

" 'Article II. The object of this Society shall be to 
labor for the relief and education of the Freedmen, 
especially in co-operation with the Missionary and 
Church Extension Societies of the Methodist Epis- 
copal Church.* 

" 'Article III. Any person contributing one dollar 



* When the Society was chartered under the laws of Ohio, 
its object was stated to he " to labor for the relief and educa- 
tion of Freedmen and others," so as to include work among 
white as well as colored people. 



Freedmetfs Aid. 283 

to its treasury shall be an annual member of this 
Society. Any person contributing twenty dollars 
shall be a life-member. Any person contributing one 
hundred dollars shall be a life-manager. Any person 
contributing five hundred dollars shall be a patron. 

'• 'Article IV. There shall be a Board of Managers, 
consisting of the bishops of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, two persons— one minister and one layman — 
named by any Annual Conference organizing an Aux- 
iliary Society, together with the persons hereinafter 
named, their successors and such other persons as 
may be elected at any Quarterly or Annual Meeting 
of the Society; namely, Adam Poe, J. M. Reid, I. W. 
Wiley. William Xast, R. S. Rust, J. M. YValden, J. C. 
Harrison, T. M. Eddy. L. Hitchcock, R. M. Hatfield, 
C. H. Fowler. H. Crews. B. F. Crary, A. C. George, 
B. St. J. Fry, Robert Allyn, F. 0. Holliday, J. V. R. 
Miller. Clinton B. Fisk, Grant Goodrich. Harvey De- 
Camp, John Pfaff, M. B. Hagans, J. F. Larkin, T. F. 
Shaw, John Dubois, R. F. Queal, Daniel Goss, A. R. 
Scranton, George F. Foster, S. Rich, A. S. W. Good- 
win, B. R. Bonner, David McDonald, J. H. Ross, 
Michael Ihle. 

11 'Article V. The Society shall annually elect a presi- 
dent, one or more vice-presidents, a corresponding sec- 
retary, a general field superintendent, and a recording 
secretary. The Agent of the Western Methodist Book 
Concern shall be the treasurer, with such assistant 
treasurers as the Board of Managers may designate. 
The Board of Managers shall fill vacancies occurring 
among the officers in the interim of the annual meet- 
ing, define the duties of the officers and Executive 
Committee, and adopt such other by-laws as may be 
required. 

" 'Article VI. The Board of Managers may intrust 



284 Methodist Constitution and Charters. 

its business to an Executive Committee, composed of 
the bishop or bishops of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church in charge of the mission-work among the 
Freedmen in the South, together with not less than 
fifteen members elected by the Board: Provided, that 
any member of the Executive Committee may dele- 
gate another manager to attend a session of the com- 
mittee at which he can not be present. The corre- 
sponding secretary and general field superintendent 
shall be members ex officio of the Executive Commit- 
tee, and five members shall be a quorum. 

11 'Article VII. There shall be an Annual Meeting 
of the Society, for the election of officers and trans- 
action of other business, on the third Wednesday of 
October, at such hour and place as the Board of Man- 
agers shall determine, to which an exhibit of the 
transactions of the treasury, and reports from the 
corresponding secretary and general field superin- 
tendent, shall be presented. The Board of Managers 
shall provide in the by-laws for all other meetings. 

" 'Article VIII. This Constitution may be amended 
by the Society at the Annual Meeting, or at a special 
meeting called for the purpose by the Executive Com- 
mittee.' 

"EDUCATION OF THE FREEDMEN. 

"Voice of the Bishops. 

"To the Pastors and Members of the Methodist Episcopal 

Church : 

"Dear Brethren,— The emancipation of four mil- 
lions of slaves has opened at our very door a wide 
field calling alike for mission and educational work. 
It has devolved upon the Church a fearful respon- 
sibility. Religion and education alone can make free- 



Freedmerf s A id. 285 

dom a blessing to them. The school must be planted 
by the side of the Church; the teacher must go along 
with the missionary. In no other way can our work 
reach its highest success among the Freedmen of the 
South. They claim this culture as immortal beings, 
at our hands. Without it their true position as mem- 
bers of society can never be attained. It is needful, 
that they may sustain proper domestic relations 
among themselves, and that their children may be 
saved from the blighting effects entailed by the sys- 
tem of slavery. It is indispensable to the highest 
and most permanent success of our mission work 
among them. And then, too, a consideration of vital 
importance to the Christian world, is the fact that 
from among themselves the ministers are to be raised 
up who shall conserve, carry forward, and make per- 
manent the work of Christianizing and educating the 
race. 

"The time may come when the States in the South 
will make some provision for the education of the col- 
ored children now growing up in utter ignorance in 
their midst. But thus far they have made none, nor 
perhaps can it soon be expected of them. Christian 
philanthropy must supply this lack. While other 
Churches, North and South, are entering this broad 
field, we have our own work and our own duty to 
perform. We can not turn away from the appeal that 
comes home to our consciences and hearts. Nor can 
we delay. The emergency is upon us, and we must begin 
to work now. 

"As a suitable channel through which the benefac- 
tions of our Church to this object may best reach 
their design, the Freedmen's Aid Society of the Meth- 
odist Episcopal Church has been organized. It is 
designed to co-operate with our missionary work in 



286 Methodist Constitution and Charters. 

the South, and, in fact, a supplement to that work. 
There are openings for hundreds of teachers at this 
moment. Hundreds of. teachers are ready to go. 
The means to send them are only wanting. 

"In view of the great emergency of the case, and 
the certainty that the benefactions of our people can 
better reach their end through our own channels than 
through any other, we commend to you the Freed- 
men's Aid Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 
And especially would we urge upon all pastors and 
congregations, in view of the present great and pass- 
ing wants, to make for this object a collection as 
soon as practicable. 

"We also recommend that the Churches in the 
East contribute with special reference to the estab- 
lishment of schools in the Southern States bordering 
upon the Atlantic, and that the Churches in the West 
direct their efforts especially to the States lying south 
of them in the great Mississippi Valley. We further 
recommend to the Executive Committee of the Freed- 
men's Aid Society, to distribute the schools estab- 
lished by them in the South, so as to cover the whole 
territory of the South as far as practicable, so that 
the fruits of this blessed work may- be most widely 
diffused. 

"Done by order of the Board of Bishops, at New 
York City, November 8, 1866. 

"D. W. Clark, Sec'y of the Board." 



Freedmen' s Aid. 287 

ORIGINAL ACT OF INCORPORATION. 

1870. 



At a meeting of a majority of the members 
of the Freedmerr's Aid Society of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, an organized association hav- 
ing a central place of business in Cincinnati, 
Ohio, held pursuant to call, at the Western Meth- 
odist Book Concern, November 1, 1870, the same 
being the annual meeting, Bishop D. W. Clark 
was chosen Chairman, and Rev. J. M. Walden 
Secretary. Whereupon it was resolved to take 
the necessary steps to become incorporated under 
the laws of Ohio. On motion of Rev. R. S. Rust, 
D. D., a committee of three was appointed — Rev. 
Drs. Reid, Rust, and Walden — to report Articles 
of Association, which committee reported the 
following preamble and Constitution, viz. : 

Whekeas, The highest success of the mission- 
ary work of the Methodist Episcopal Church in 
the South requires the maintenance of schools 
of various grades among the Freedmen; and 

Wheeeas, There is no specific provision "by 
benevolent organizations in our Church to meet 
the special educational wants of the freedmen, — 

We do, therefore, incorporate this Society 



288 Methodist Constitution and Charters. 

under the following Constitution with the name 
and for the purposes therein declared: 

Article I. This organization shall be known 
as the Freedmen's Aid Society of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church.* 

Art. II. Its object shall be to labor for the 
relief and education of Freedmen and others, es- 
pecially in co-operation with the Missionary and 
Church Extension Societies of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church. 

Art. III. The contribution of one dollar 
during any year, and the attendance at the an- 
nual meeting, shall constitute a member of this 
Society. Any person contributing twenty dollars 
($20) to its treasury shall be an honorary mem- 
ber. Any person contributing one hundred dol- 
lars ($100) shall be an honorary director. Any 
person contributing five hundred dollars ($500) 
shall be a patron. 

Art. IV. There shall be a Board of Directors, 
consisting of D. W. Clark, L. Hitchcock, I. W. 
Wiley, R. S. Eust, J. M. Walden, J. M. Reid, 
William Nast, S. M. Merrill, J. F. Larkin, J. M. 
Phillips, J. V. R. Miller, J. F. Chalfant, M. B. 
Hagans, H. DeCamp, R. F. Qiieall, Grant Good- 
rich, B. F. Holliday, A. Shinkle, B. St. James 

*Name as amended, Freeedmen's Aid and Southern Edu- 
cation Society. See page 291; also Amendment of Charter, 
page 294. 



Freedmen, 's Aid. 289 

Fry, and their sucessors, who shall be elected 
annually by the Society. The Directors shall hold 
their office until their successors are elected. 

Art. V. The Society shall annually elect a 
President, one or more Vice-Presidents, a Corre- 
sponding Secretary, and a Becording Secretary, 
who shall be the officers of the Board of Directors. ■ 
The Agent of the Western Methodist Book Con- 
cern shall be the Treasurer, with such Assistant 
Treasurers as the Board of Directors may desig- 
nate. The Board of Directors shall fill all va- 
cancies occurring among the officers in the interim 
of the annual meetings, define the duties of the 
officers and Executive Committee, and adopt such 
other by-laws as may be required. 

Art. VI. The Board of Directors may in- 
trust its business to an Executive Committee com- 
posed of not less than nine members elected by 
the Board; Provided, that any member of the 
Executive Committee may delegate another Di- 
rector to attend a session of the Committee at 
which he can not be present. The Correspond- 
ing Secretary shall be a member ex-officio of the 
Executive Committee, and five members shall con- 
stitute a quorum. 

Art. VII. There shall be an annual meeting 
of the Society for the election of officers and 
Directors and the transaction of other business 



290 Methodist Constitution and Charters. 

on the third Wednesday of October, or at such 
time and place as the Board of Directors shall 
determine, to which an exhibit of the transactions 
of the treasury and reports from the Correspond- 
ing Secretary shall be presented. 

The Board of Directors shall provide in the 
by-laws for all other meetings. 

The report of the Committee was adopted, 
and the name of said corporation as appears above 
agreed to, and the persons named as a Board of 
Directors were duly elected. 

On motion, the Secretary was directed to 
make out and certify to the recorder of this 
county a correct transcript of this meeting for 
the purpose of record. 

On motion, adjourned. 

D. W. Clark, President 
J. M. Walden, Secretary. 

The State of Ohio, \ t 
Hamilton County, J 

I, J. M. Walden, Secretary of the meeting of 
the members of the Freedmen's Aid Society of 
the Methodist Episcopal Church, as appears 
above, do hereby certify that the record of the 
proceedings of the said meeting is true as above 
set forth; that the corporate name adopted by 
the said meeting, and by which the said asso- 



Freedmerts Aid. 291 

ciation desires hereafter to be known, is the 
Freedmen's Aid Society of the Methodist Epis- 
copal Church, and that the persons named in the 
said proceedings, as above set forth, were duly 
elected Directors. 

In testimony whereof, I hereunto set my hand, 
November 1, 1870. 

J. M. Walden, Secretary. 

Eeceived and recorded, November 17, 1870, 
in Church Eecord No. 2, pp. 543-5. 

Thos. L. Young, Recorder. 



DECKEE CHANGING NAME. 



Court of Common Pleas of Hamilton County. 
Term of July, A. D. 1888. 



81,248 ) 

In the matter of the Freedmen's Aid Society \ Ex-parte. 
of the Methodist Episcopal Church. J 

The petitioners herein, by M. B. Hagans, their 
attorney, now come and produce the publication 
required by law, duly sworn to: and the Court 
having examined the same, and finding that thirty 
days' notice has been given of the object and 



292 Methodist Constitution and Charters. 

prayer of the petition according to the statute, 
the said publication and notice are hereby ap- 
proved and confirmed, and the same ordered to 
be filed and made part of the record in this 
cause. 

And thereupon this cause came on to be 
heard upon the petition and notice, and upon 
good cause shown it is ordered that the name 
of the said The Freedmen's Aid Society of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church be, and the same 
is hereby, changed to "The Freedmen's Aid and 
Southern Education Society of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church," according to law and the 
prayer of the petition, and the petitioners are 
ordered to file a copy of this order with the 
recorder of Hamilton County, Ohio, and to pub- 
lish a copy hereof in some newspaper of general 
circulation in said county, as required by law, 
and to pay the costs of this proceeding, taxed 
at dollars. 

The State of Ohio, 1 
Hamilton County, j ' 

I, Daniel J. Dalton, clerk of the Court of 
Common Pleas within and for Hamilton County, 
do hereby certify that the foregoing is a true 
and correct copy of an order made by the said 
court on the 27th day of July, 1888, Min. 106. 



Freedmerts Aid. 293 

Witness my hand and seal of said Court at 
Cincinnati this first day of August, A. D. 1888. 
[Court Seal.] 

Daniel J. Dalton, Clerk. 

By Louis E. Prexot, Deputy. 

Eeceived and recorded September 3, 1888, in 
Book Xo. 6, page 261, Hamilton County, Ohio, 
Records. Johx Hagekty, Recorder 



AMENDED ACT OF IXCOEPOEATIOX. 

1892, 



We, the undersigned, being all of the mem- 
bers of the corporation now known as "the Freed- 
men's Aid and Southern Education Society of 
the Methodist Episcopal Church," originally in- 
corporated on the 17th day of Xovember, 1870, 
under the name of "The Freedmen's Aid Society 
of the Methodist Episcopal Church," as appears 
in Church Records, Xo. 2, pages 543-5, Hamilton 
County, Ohio, Records, the name of which cor- 
poration was duly changed, on the 3d day of 
September, 1888, to "The Freedmen's Aid and 
Southern Education Society of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church," as appears in Book Xo. 6, 
page 261, of the Records of Hamilton County, 



294 Methodist Constitution and Charters* 

Ohio, do hereby waive the notices required by 
Section 3238a of the Revised Statutes of Ohio; 
and do, furthermore, hereby 

Resolve, That the original Articles of Incor- 
poration of "The Freedmen's Aid Society of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church," now known as 
"The Freedmen's Aid and Southern Education 
Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church," shall 
be amended so as to read as follows: 

Whereas, The highest success of the mission- 
ary work of the Methodist Episcopal Church in 
the South requires the maintenance of schools 
of various grades among the Freedmen and 
others; and 

Whereas, There is no specific provision by 
other benevolent organizations in the Methodist 
Episcopal Church to meet the educational wants 
of the freedmen and others in the South, we do 
Amendment, therefore amend the original Articles of Incor- 
poration of this Society, as set forth in the fol- 
lowing Constitution, with the name, and for the 
purposes therein declared: 
Name. Article I. This corporation shall be known 
as the "Freedmen's Aid and Southern Education 
Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church," and 
its principal office shall be at Cincinnati, Ohio. 
Objects. Art. II. Its object shall be the establishment 
and maintenance or aiding of institutions of 



Freedmens Aid. 295 

Christian education among both colored and 
white people in the Southern States, and in such 
other territory as the General Conference of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church of the United States 
may from time to time designate. 

Art. III. There shall be, under this amended Board of 
Charter, a Board of Trustees or Managers, con- Mana 9 ers - 
sisting of eighteen (18) ministers and twelve (12) 
laymen, or such other numbers of each as may 
be deemed necessary by the General Conference 
of the Methodist Episcopal Church, to be selected 
quadrennially by the said General Conference, 
and the terms of service of the members of such 
Board, and their successors in office, shall be- 
gin on the second Wednesday in June next suc- 
ceeding their selection, and continue during the 
ensuing four (1) years, and until their successors 
are elected and qualified. Said Board shall have 
such powers and prerogatives as are needful for 
conducting the work of the Society, and shall 
hold its annual meeting on the third Wednesday 
of October, or at such other time as the Board 
may direct. It shall provide for such other meet- 
ings as may be necessary. 

Any vacancy in the Board of Trustees or Vacancies 
Managers, by resignation, death, or otherwise, 
shall be filled by said Board in the interim of the 
meetings of the General Conference. 



296 Methodist Constitution and Charters. 

General Art. IV. There shall also be a General Corn- 
Committee. mittee? as prov ided for by the General Confer- 
ence of the Methodist Episcopal Church, with 
such powers as are herein recognized, and such 
relation to the administration of this Society as 
the said General Conference may from time to 
time indicate; and the Board of Managers shall 
provide for proper representation in said Gen- 
eral Committee. 
Officers. Art. V. The officers of this Board shall be 
a President, three Vice-Presidents, one or more 
Corresponding Secretaries, a Kecording Secre- 
tary, a Treasurer, and an Assistant Treasurer, all 
of whom shall be elected by the Board, at its 
annual meeting each year, except as hereinafter 
provided for. 

The Corresponding Secretary or Secretaries 
shall be chosen by the General Conference of 
the Methodist Episcopal Church, and shall hold 
their offices for four years. Any vacancy in the 
Corresponding Secretary's office, by death, resig- 
nation, or otherwise, shall be filled by the Board 
until the Bishops of said Church shall, by ap- 
pointment, provide a successor. 

One or more Assistant Corresponding Secre- 
taries or Field Agents may be appointed, from 
time to time, by the General Committee, and 
they shall receive such salary, and render such 



Freedmeris Aid. 297 

services, as the Board of Trustees or Managers 
shall determine. 

Art. VI. The Board of Trustees or Managers Reports, 
shall make an annual report to the General Com- 
mittee, a quadrennial report to the General Con- 
ference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and 
shall publish quarterly, or oftener, full informa- 
tion of the work of the corporation. 

Art. VII. This corporation shall have power Powers, 
to sue and be sued, to have a common seal, and 
the same to change at pleasure. It shall also 
have power to contract and be contracted with, 
purchase, acquire, hold, and sell and convey, both 
in law and equity, any estate or interest therein, 
in any kind of property, personal, real, or mixed, 
as may be necessary or convenient for conducting 
the affairs of the Society, and to take and hold 
such property, or any of it, by gift, grant, devise, 
or otherwise, and to sell and convey the same, 
as well as to accept, take, and hold annuities and 
trusts for the uses of the Society, and to admin- 
ister the same. 

Art. VIII. The Board of Trustees or Man- By-laws, 
agers shall enact such by-laws, and provide for 
the amendment of the same, as may be necessary 
to carry forward the work of the corporation, 
provided they are in harmony with the pro- 
visions of this Charter. 



298 Methodist Constitution and Charters. 

Signed : E. S. Rust, A. Shinkle, W. L. Hypes, 
Alexander Martin, W. P. Stowe, Thomas H. 
Pearne, W. H. Hickman, David H. Moore, B. K. 
Cowen, William Bunyan, I. D. Jones, John 
Pearson, M. B. Hagans, Earl Cranston, M. D. 
Carrel, Archer Brown, W. F. Boyd, J. C. Hart- 
zell, Henry Liebhart, Joseph Courtney, James M. 
Shumpert, Daniel W. Hays, T. C. Carter, J. D. 
Walsh, J. W. Hamilton, J. F. Marlay, George B. 
Johnson, P. M. Bigney, Charles A. Ault, Albert J. 
Nast, Amon Boreing, M. S. Johnson. 



The State of Ohio, | ^ 
Hamilton County, j 

We, Amos Shinkle, President, and Thomas 
H. Pearne, Secretary of "The Freedmen's Aid 
and Southern Education Society of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church," do hereby certify that at the 
annual meeting of all the members of said So- 
ciety, on the nineteenth and twentieth of Oc- 
tober, 1892, held at the Methodist Book Con- 
cern, 190 West Fourth Street, Cincinnati, Ohio, 
the foregoing amendments of the Act of Incor- 
poration of the Freedmeir's Aid and Southern 
Education Society were duly adopted by said So- 
ciety, and that the copy thereof which appears 
above is a true copy of the original. 



Freedmerf s Aid. 299 

Witness our hands, and the seal of the cor- 
poration, this twentieth day of October, A. D. 
1892. A. Shinkle, President. 

Thomas H. Peaene, Secretary. 

United States of America, ) 
State of Ohio. ) 

Office of the Seceetaey of State. 

I, C. L. Poorman, Secretary of State of the 
State of Ohio, do hereby certify that the annexed 
instrument is an exemplified copy, carefully com- 
pared by me with the original record now in my 
official custody as Secretary of State, and found 
to be true and correct, of the Certificate of 
Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation of 
"The Freedmen's Aid and Southern Education 
Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church/' filed 
in this office on the 31st day of October, A. D. 
1892, and recorded in Volume 54, page 561, of 
the Records of Incorporations. 

Witness my hand and official seal, at Colum- 
bus, Ohio, this 31st day of October, A. D., 1892. 
[Seal] C. L. Pooeman, 

Secretary of State. 



THE CONSTITUTION OF THE 
EPWOETH LEAGUE. 



Chicago, III., March 18, 1902. 
Messrs. R. T. Miller and W. F. WMtlock: 

Yours of February 19th reached the office in due 
time, and awaited my return. 

The Epworth League was organized at Cleveland, 
Ohio, May 15, 1889, by delegates from the five Young 
People's Societies of our Church. The first general 
Constitution was adopted by the Board of Control 
at its first meeting in Chicago, February 6, 1890. A 
transcript may be found on page 64 of the book, 
"Four Wonderful Years," published by the Book Con- 
cern. This Constitution, with various changes and 
additions, was adopted by the General Conference at 
Omaha. It appears in paragraph 325 of the Disci- 
pline of 1892. Other slight changes were made by the 
General Conferences at Cleveland and Chicago, and 
may be found in paragraph 339 of the Disciplines for 
1896 and 1900 respectively, l^ours cordially, 

J. F. Berry, Gen'l Secy. 



For the purpose of promoting intelligent and 
vital piety among the young people of our 
Churches and congregations, and of training 
them in works of mercy and help, there shall be 
an organization under the authority of the Gen- 
300 



Constitution of the Epworth League. 301 

eral Conference of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church and governed by the following Consti- 
tution : 

Akticle I. 

NAME. 

The title of this organization shall be "The 
Epworth League of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church." 

Article II. 

OBJECT. 

The object of the League is to promote in- 
telligent and vital piety in the young members 
and friends of the Church, to aid them in the 
attainment of purity of heart and constant 
growth in grace, and to train them in works of 
mercy and help. 

Article III. 

ORGANIZATION. 

With a view to carry out the objects of the 
League, the Chapters and such other Young Peo- 
ple's Societies as may be approved by the Quar- 
terly Conferences shall be organized into presid- 
ing elders' District Leagues, and may also be 
formed into General Conference District Leagues. 
Other groupings may be arranged for the ad- 
vantage of the work, such as Annual Conference 



302 Methodist Constitution and Charters. 

Leagues, State Leagues, City Leagues, etc. The 
Chapter shall be under the control of the Quar- 
terly Conference and pastor. Any young peo- 
ple's society may become an affiliated Chapter 
of the Epworth League; provided, it adopt the 
aims of the League, that its President and officers 
and general plans of work be approved by the 
pastor and Official Board or Quarterly Confer- 
ence, and that it be enrolled at the Central 
Office.* 

Article IV. 

GOVERNMENT. 

The management of the League shall be 
vested in the Board of Control, to consist (1) of 
fifteen members appointed by the Bishops, one 
of whom shall be a Bishop, who shall be Presi- 
dent of the Epworth League and of the Board 
of Control; (2) and of one member from each 
General Conference District to be chosen, at the 
General Conference, by the delegates of the An- 
nual and Electoral Conferences comprised in the 
several General Conference Districts respectively. 
The Board of Control shall meet twice in each 
quadrennium. 



*It is not hereby intended to disturb the present status 
of other Young People's Societies now organized in the Meth- 
odist Episcopal Church which are under the control of the 
Pastor and Quarterly Conference. 



Constitution of the Epworth League. 303 
Article V. 

OFFICERS. 

The officers of the League shall be a Presi- 
dent, four Yice-P residents — two of whom at least 
shall be laymen — a General Secretary, and a 
Treasurer, who shall constitute the General 
League Cabinet, of which also the German As- 
sistant Secretary shall be a member ex-officio. 
The President shall be chosen as hereinbefore 
provided. The Vice-Presidents shall be chosen 
by the Board of Control from its own members. 
The editor of the Epworth Herald shall be the 
General Secretary, and shall be the executive 
officer of the League. He shall have charge of 
all correspondence, and shall keep the records of 
the League. He shall also be Editor of Epworth 
League publications. The Treasurer shall be 
elected by the Board of Control. The Editor 
of the Epworth Herald shall be elected by the 
General Conference. All these officers shall be 
elected quadrennially, and shall hold office until 
their successors are chosen. The duties of the 
General Secretary and Editor of the Epworth 
Herald shall be performed under the direction 
of the Board of Control; and the Cabinet shall 
act for the Board of Control ad interim. Va- 
cancies in any of the above named positions, ex- 
cept the Presidency and the Editorship of the 



80-4 Methodist Constitution and Charters. 

Herald, shall be filled by the Cabinet, subject to 
the approval of the Board of Control. 

Article VI. 

GERMAN ASSISTANT SECRETARY. 

The Editor of the Haus und Herd is con- 
stituted the German Assistant Secretary of the 
Epworth League, and thereby a member of the 
General League Cabinet. 

Article VII. 

FINANCES. 

The salary of the Editor of the Epworth 
Herald shall be fixed by the Book Committee. 
All other expenses of the Board of Control shall 
be met through means which it shall devise. No 
collection shall be taken by the Epworth League 
of the Methodist Episcopal Church except for 
League purposes. 

Article VIII. 

CENTRAL OFFICE. 

The Central Office of the Epworth League 
shall be in Chicago, 111. 

Article IX. 

LOCAL CONSTITUTION. 

The Constitution for Local Chapters shall be 
in charge of the Board of Control ; provided, how- 



Constitution of the Epworth League. 305 

ever, that no enactment shall be made which shall 
in any manner conflict with, this General Con- 
stitution. 

Article X. 

BY-LAWS. 

The Board of Control shall have power to 
enact such By-laws for its own government as will 
not conflict with this Constitution. 

Article XI. 

AMENDMENTS. 

This Constitution shall be altered or amended 
only by the General Conference. 



Note.— The editor of the Epworth Herald was by the Gen- 
eral Conference of 1900 niade also editor of the Epworth 
League publications. 



CHURCH INSURANCE. 



ACTION OF THE GENERAL CONFERENCE OF 
1896 RELATIVE TO CHURCH INSURANCE. 



Resolved, First. That this General Conference 
approves of the insurance plan of the West Wis- 
consin Conference with which the Wisconsin 
Conference has successfully co-operated; and, 

Second. That this General Conference shall 
provide for the organization of a Mutual Church 
Insurance Company for the benefit of the Church 
in the United States, on a similar plan, for such 
of our Churches and pastors as desire to avail 
themselves of it, as follows: 

Third. The General Conference shall elect a 
Board of Insurance to serve for four years, con- 
sisting of one from each General Conference 
District to be nominated by the delegates of each 
district represented, and five to be nominated 
by the bishops. 

Fourth. Such Board shall have general super- 
vision of the matter of fire, lightning, and tor- 
nado insurance ; it shall as speedily as practicable 
be incorporated according to law, with such 



Church Insurance. 307 

powers and prerogatives as may be needful to the 
organization and operation of a Mutual Insur- 
ance Company; such organization to be subject 
to the control of the General Conference. 

Fifth. The time of service of said Board shall 
begin on the second Wednesday in June follow- 
ing their election, and continue until their suc- 
cessors shall be duly chosen and have entered 
upon their duties. 

Sixth. The Board may fill vacancies occurring 
among its members. 

Seventh. The officers of the Board, who shall 
also be officers of the organization as incorpo- 
rated, shall be a President, a Vice-President, a 
Secretary, a Treasurer, and an attorney, who, to- 
gether with two others, shall constitute the 
Executive Committee, all of whom shall be 
elected by the Board at the first regular meeting 
of each quadrennium, and shall hold office for 
four years, or until their successors are elected 
and qualify. The Executive Committee shall 
have control of the business, subject to the Board. 
The Board shall have power to employ a manager 
and such other employees as may be found neces- 
sary. 

Eighth. The annual meeting of the Board, or 
of the Executive Committee, shall be held on 
the second Tuesday in February, each year, at 



308 Methodist Constitution and Charters. 

such place as may have been selected at the 
previous meeting, except the first meeting, which 
shall be held in Chicago, 111. Special meetings 
may be called by the President or any five di- 
rectors. At all regular meetings of the Board 
seven shall constitute a quorum. Any annual 
meeting of the Board, except the first meeting 
after each General Conference, may be substi- 
tuted by a meeting of the Executive Committee, 
should a majority of the Board so elect, unless, 
in the option of the President, the full Board 
should meet. Not later than January 5th of each 
year the Secretary shall send to each member of 
the Board a copy of the Annual Statement, 
promptly upon the receipt of which it shall be 
the duty of each member of the Board to ex- 
press to the President in writing his opinion as 
to whether the full Board or only the Executive 
Committee should attend the annual meeting. 
Thereupon, but not later than January 20th, the 
President shall send out notices for the annual 
meeting. 

Mnth. The Board shall have power to make 
by-laws not in conflict with the action of the 
General Conference. 

Tenth. The Board shall submit to each Gen- 
eral Conference a report of its proceedings for 
the preceding four years. 



Church Insurance. 309 

Eleventh. The necessary expenses incurred by 
members of the Board in attending its meetings, 
and all expenses incurred in the transaction of 
its business, shall be paid out of the funds of 
the Insurance Company. — Journal, 1896, p. 408. 



CHARTER OF THE NATIONAL MUTUAL 

CHURCH. INSURANCE COMPANY 

OF CHICAGO. 

Article I. The name of this Company shall 
be the National Mutual Church Insurance Com- 
pany. Its principal office shall be located in the 
city of Chicago, County of Cook, and State of 
Illinois. 

Art. II. The object of this Company shall be 
to make insurance upon churches, dwellings, 
schools and other property on the mutual plan 
against loss or damage by fire, lightning or tor- 
nadoes, or any or all of said causes, under and 
in accordance with the provisions of the insurance 
laws of the State of Illinois. 

Art. III. The corporate powers of the Com- 
pany shall be exercised by a Board of Fifteen 
Directors, a majority of whom shall be citizens 
of this State. The first Board shall be elected 
at a meeting of the members of the Company, 
to be called by the incorporators as soon as prac- 



310 Methodist Constitution and Charters. 

tieable after a permit is issued to it to commence 
business. They shall be elected by a majority 
vote of such members who may vote in person 
or by proxy. As soon as the Directors are elected 
they shall meet and divide themselves into three 
classes, so that five shall serve for one year, five 
for two years, and five for three years from the 
date of the first annual meeting following such 
election, and thereafter at each annual meeting 
of the members five directors shall be elected 
for a term of three years. The by-laws of the 
Company shall fix the date of the annual meeting. 

The Board of Directors shall elect a Presi- 
dent, Vice-President, a Secretary, and a Treas- 
urer, and such other officers as they may deem 
necessary, who shall hold their offices for one 
year, or until their successors are elected and 
have qualified. 

They shall adopt by-laws for their own gov- 
ernment and the government of the officers of 
the Company, not inconsistent with this Charter 
and the Act under which the Company is in- 
corporated and all amendments thereto, and sub- 
ject to such Charter, By-laws, and Act of In- 
corporation, shall have the control, direction, 
and management of the affairs of the Company. 
They shall cause careful books of account and 
of record to be kept, showing all of the business 



Church Insurance. 311 

of the Company, and shall at least annually make 
a report of the business transacted and the con- 
dition of the Company to the members thereof. 
They shall meet regularly at times to be fixed 
by the by-laws, and at such meetings shall re- 
ceive reports from the officers and give such 
directions as to them shall seem to be for the 
best interests of the company. They shall re- 
quire all of the officers and agents of the Com- 
pany who have control of, or handle any of its 
funds, to give bonds with such securities and 
conditions as they shall deem proper; and may 
remove any officer when the interests of the 
Company shall require. 

Art. IV. This Company shall not commence 
business until at least $200,000 of insurance, in 
not less than one hundred separate risks, no one 
of which, for the purposes of organization, shall 
exceed five thousand dollars ($5,000), or be less 
than five hundred dollars ($500), shall have been 
subscribed, and the premium thereon for one 
year paid in cash, aggregating not less than ten 
thousand dollars ($10,000) in cash. 

Art. V. The fiscal year of this Company shall 
commence on the first day of January, and ter- 
minate upon the thirty-first day of December, in 
each year. The duration of this company shall 
be thirty years. 



THE CONSTITUTION OF THE METH- 
ODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, 
SOUTH. 



The following is taken from a very valuable con- 
tribution to the constitutional history of the Meth- 
odist Episcopal Churches, edited by Wilbur Fisk Bar- 
clay, Secretary of the Constitutional Commission of 
the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, with an In- 
troduction by Rev. J. J. Tigert, LL. D., and published 
by Barbee & Smith, Agents, Nashville, Tenn., 1902: 

"OF THE GENERAL CONFERENCE. 

"Ques. Who shall compose the General Confer- 
ence, and what are the regulations and powers be- 
longing to it? * 

"Ans. 1. The General Conference shall be com- 
posed of one clerical member for every forty-eight 
members of each Annual Conference, and an equal 
number of lay members. Of the lay members from 
an Annual Conference, one may be a local preacher. 

"2. The clerical representatives shall be elected 
by the clerical members of the Annual Conference; 



*This question was not in the Report of the Committee of 
Fourteen, 1808. Its first member was in the Discipline from 
1792, and its second, "What are the regulations," etc., was 
supplied by the editor of the Discipline of 1808. 
312 



Methodist Ep iscopal Oh urch, So uth. 313 

provided, that such representatives shall have been 
traveling preachers at least four calendar years nest 
preceding their election, and are in full connection 
with an Annual Conference when elected, and also 
at the time of holdiug the General Conference. The 
lay representatives shall be elected by the lay mem- 
bers of the Annual Conference; provided, that such 
representatives be twenty-five years of age, and shall 
have been members of our Church for at least six 
calendar years next preceding the time of their elec- 
tion, and also at the time of holding the General Con- 
ference. 

"3. An Annual Conference, entitled under the 
second Restrictive Rule to one ministerial delegate, 
shall not be denied the privilege of one lay delegate, 
and he may be a local preacher. 

''4. The ministers and laymen shall deliberate in 
one body; but upon a call of one-fifth of the members 
of the Conference, the lay and clerical members shall 
vote separately, and no measure shall be passed with- 
out the concurrence of a majority of both classes of 
representatives. 

"5. The General Conference shall meet on the first 
day of May, in the year of our Lord 1812, in the city 
of New York, and thenceforward on the first day of 
May once in four years perpetually, in such place or 
places as shall be fixed on by the General Conference 
from time to time; but the General Superintendents, 
with or by the advice of all the Annual Conferences— 
or, if there be no General Superintendent, all the An- 
nual Conferences respectively— shall have the power 
to call a General Conference, if they judge it neces- 
sary, at any time. 

"6. At all times when the General Conference is 
met, it shall take a majority of the representatives of 
21 



314 Methodist Constitution and Charters, 

all the Annual Conferences to make a quorum for 
transacting business. 

"7. One of the General Superintendents shall pre- 
side in the General Conference; but in case no Gen- 
eral Superintendent be present, the General Confer- 
ence shall choose a President pro tempore. 

"8. The General Conference shall have full powers 
to make rules and regulations for our Church, under 
the following limitations and restrictions— viz.: 

"(1) The General Conference shall not revoke, 
alter, or change our Articles of Religion, nor establish 
any new standards or rules of doctrine contrary to 
our present existing and established standards of doc- 
trine. 

"(2) They shall not allow of more than one repre- 
sentative for every eighteen members of the Annual 
Conference, nor allow of a less number than one for 
every sixty; provided, nevertheless, that when there 
shall be in any Annual Conference a fraction of two- 
thirds the number which shall be fixed for the ratio of 
representation, such Annual Conference shall be en- 
titled to an additional delegate for such fraction; and 
provided, also, that no Conference shall be denied the 
privilege of two delegates, one clerical and one lay. 

"(3) They shall not change or alter any part or 
rule of our government, so as to do away episcopacy 
or destroy the plan of our itinerant general super- 
intendency. 

"(4) They shall not revoke or change the General 
Rules of the United Societies. 

"(5) They shall not do away the privileges of our 
ministers or preachers of trial by a committee, and of 
an appeal; neither shall they do away the privileges 
of our members of trial before the society or by a 
committee, and of an appeal. 



Methodist Episcopal Church, South. 315 

"(6) They shall not appropriate the produce of the 
Book Concern, or of the Charter Fund, to any purpose 
other than for the benefit of the traveling, supernu- 
merary, superannuated, and worn-out preachers, their 
wives, widows, and children. 

"Provided, nevertheless, that upon the concurrent 
recommendation of three-fourths of all the members 
of the several Annual Conferences who shall be pres- 
ent and vote on such a recommendation, then a major- 
ity of two-thirds of the General Conference succeed- 
ing shall suffice to alter any of the above restrictions, 
excepting the First Article; and also whenever such 
alteration or alterations shall have been first recom- 
mended by two-thirds of the General Conference, so 
soon as three-fourths of the members of all the An- 
nual Conferences shall have concurred as aforesaid, 
such alteration or alterations shall take effect. 

''Provided, that when any rule or regulation is 
adopted by the General Conference, which, in the 
opinion of the bishops, is unconstitutional, the bishops 
may present to the Conference which passed said rule 
or regulation their objections thereto, with their rea- 
sons, in writing; and if then the General Conference 
shall, by a two-thirds vote, adhere to its action on 
said rule or regulation, it shall then take the course 
prescribed for altering a restrictive rule; and if thus 
passed upon affirmatively, the bishops shall announce 
that such rule or regulation takes effect from that 
time. 

"OF THE ANNUAL CONFERENCES. 

"Ques. Who shall compose the Annual Confer- 
ences? 

"Arte. [Such preachers as may be prescribed by 



316 Methodist Constitution and Chi iers. - 

law *] and four lay representatives, one of whom may 
be a local preacher, from each presiding elder's dis- 
trict, to be chosen annually by the district stewards, 
or in such other manner as the Annual Conference 
may direct, who shall participate in all the business 
of the Conference, except such as involves ministerial 
character and relations; provided, that no one shall be 
a representative who is not twenty-five years of age, 
and who has not been for six years, next preceding 
his election, a member of the Church." 



*The words in italics are supplied by the writer. For ex- 
planation, see page 51. 



IXD &± 



